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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (3 April 2024)

HSFO availability tight in the ARA hub; Gibraltar port faces congestion; LSMGO supply dry in Durban.

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RESIZED ENGINE Europe and Africa

The following article regarding Europe and Africa bunker fuel availability has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

  • HSFO availability tight in the ARA hub
  • Gibraltar port faces congestion
  • LSMGO supply dry in Durban

Northwest Europe

HSFO supply is currently very tight in Rotterdam and in the wider ARA hub, a trader said. Lead times of 5-7 days are recommended for the grade's delivery in the region. Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is comparatively better. Lead times of 4-5 days are advised for VLSFO, while LSMGO requires shorter lead times of 2-4 days.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks averaged 9% higher in March, compared to February, according to Insights Global data. The region’s fuel oil stocks grew to their highest monthly average levels since April 2021.

The ARA hub imported 277,000 b/d of fuel oil in March, up from 256,000 b/d in February, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa.

The UK emerged as the ARA’s biggest fuel oil import source in March, accounting for 19% of the region’s total imports. Mexico ranked second, accounting for 18% of the total imports, followed by Poland (10%) and Germany and France (8% each). 

The ARA hub’s independent gasoil inventories — which include diesel and heating oil — increased by 7% in March. The inventories rose to their highest monthly average levels since June last year. The region imported 532,000 b/d of gasoil in March, up from 301,000 b/d imported in February.

Availability across all bunker fuel grades is good in the German port of Hamburg. Lead times of 3-5 days are advised for deliveries there, according to a trader. 

LSMGO and VLSFO availability is good for non-prompt delivery off Skaw. Lead times of 5-7 days are recommended for both grades, same as last week. HSFO supply is comparatively tighter there, requiring lead times of 7-10 days.

Adverse weather conditions could hamper bunkering off Skaw on Thursday, a source said. Rough weather is forecast in the area intermittently over the rest of the week. 

Mediterranean

Availability of all bunker fuel grades is said to be normal in Gibraltar, with recommended lead times of 5-7 days. Bunker operations resumed in the port on Sunday after remaining closed for five days due to bad weather. The port authority suspended all operations on Tuesday last week due to adverse weather conditions, which led to severe bunker backlogs. 15 vessels were waiting to receive bunkers on Wednesday morning in Gibraltar, down from 19 vessels on Tuesday, a source said. Meanwhile, conducive weather is forecast in the Gibraltar Strait for the rest of this week, which could allow bunker suppliers to clear backlogs.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is currently good in the nearby Ceuta port, and suppliers can offer prompt delivery for both grades, according to shipping agent Jose Salama & Co.

Bunker operations are running smoothly in Ceuta. The bunker barge SPABunker Cuarenta resumed operations on Monday after its services were suspended due to bad weather last week, said Jose Salama & Co.

Bunker availability is normal in the Canary Islands’ port of Las Palmas, a trader said. Calmer weather is forecast in Las Palmas this week, after a spell of extremely bad weather last week. This will allow bunkering operations to run smoothly in the port. 

Other Mediterranean ports such as Piraeus, Malta and Istanbul continue to witness poor bunker demand, a trader said.

Availability is normal across all grades in the Greek port of Piraeus, a trader said. Suppliers can offer prompt delivery dates for all bunker fuel grades in the port. Conducive weather is forecast in the area for the rest of the week, which would allow bunkering to proceed smoothly.

Bunker fuels availability is good off Malta, a source said. Prompt delivery dates are available for all grades there.

In Turkey's Istanbul, supply of all bunker fuel grades is said to be normal.

Africa

Securing prompt deliveries of VLSFO in the South African ports of Richards Bay and Durban can be difficult, according to a trader. Lead times of 7-10 days are recommended for the grade. LSMGO supply is currently dry in Durban, the trader said.

Meanwhile, bunker demand is said to have improved in Mozambique’s Nacala and Maputo ports, a source said. Availability of all bunker fuel grades is good in Nacala, the source added. Supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is also good in Maputo.

The suspension of offshore bunkering in Algoa Bay has entered its seventh month in April. The South African Revenue Services (SARS) suspended offshore bunkering after it detained bunker barges over import duty disputes. One supplier is currently offering in-port deliveries in Port Elizabeth, where bunkering is only available by truck.

By Manjula Nair

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 4 April, 2024

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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (7 Nov 2024)

Low demand in Houston; bad weather disrupts GOLA bunkering; Hurricane Rafael makes landfall in Cuba.

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RESIZED ENGINE Americas

The following article regarding bunker fuel availability in the Americas region has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

  • Low demand in Houston
  • Bad weather disrupts GOLA bunkering
  • Hurricane Rafael makes landfall in Cuba

North America

Bunker fuel demand has slowed considerably in Houston this week amid the US presidential election. Fuel grade availability, however, remains strong, with most suppliers offering VLSFO and LSMGO stems for prompt dates with a 5-7 day lead time.

In Bolivar Roads, VLSFO and LSMGO are also readily available for prompt dates, although deliveries depend on weather conditions and anchorage schedules, according to a source.

Bunker operations resumed on Wednesday in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) following nearly a week-long suspension due to strong winds. Since then, a period of calmer weather has allowed suppliers to address the backlog, but conditions are expected to deteriorate again from Friday, potentially causing further delays.

On the East Coast, prompt VLSFO and LSMGO are available in New York, though demand has been low this week.

West Coast ports, including Long Beach and Los Angeles, have seen sluggish demand. VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains steady, with a 5-day lead time recommended to avoid price premiums for faster deliveries, a trader noted.

Demand at New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA) has been strong this week, with most suppliers able to meet prompt VLSFO and LSMGO requirements.

Caribbean and Latin America

In Balboa, VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains tight, with suppliers requiring a lead time of 7-8 days for prompt dates.

Hurricane Rafael has intensified to a Category 3 storm as it makes landfall in Cuba, raising concerns about its potential impact on US offshore energy operations in the Gulf of Mexico, a source reported.

Operations at the Buckeye Bahamas Hub terminal have been suspended since Monday due to adverse weather, halting bunkering and lightering activities. The terminal operator expects conditions to remain unfavorable until Friday, delaying service resumption.

The Buckeye Hub, a crucial terminal in the region, frequently serves large vessels for refueling and transfers, making it an essential link in the shipping chain.

In Freeport, bunker fuel is available, though bunkering has been paused since late last week due to inclement weather. Deliveries are expected to resume during calmer periods, though further delays are anticipated as weather disruptions persist.

In Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage, bunkering operations have been suspended since Monday due to wind gusts up to 29 knots, making barge deliveries challenging.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 8 November, 2024

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Bunker Fuel

Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (7 November 2024)

Bunker report panellists include Island Oil Limited, Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Monjasa A/S and KPI OceanConnect.

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Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (7 November 2024)

The following bunker report has been provided by freight market information provider Baltic Exchange for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

Note:

All values are in US$/metric ton, all-in (invoice price), delivered on board
Delivery in 7-10 days
ISO 8217:2010
IFO 380 3.5% Sulphur
IFO 380 0.5% Sulphur
DMA 0.1% Sulphur

Rotterdam – Waalhaven – Maasvlakte range
Houston – Houston Harbor
Singapore – Anchorage, under SBA Scheme
Fujairah – Offshore Anchorage Area

Submitted weekly at Close of Business UK time, on Tuesday & Thursdays

Panellists:
Island Oil Limited, Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Monjasa A/S, KPI OceanConnect

 

Photo credit and source: Baltic Exchange
Published: 8 November, 2024

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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Prompt supply is tight in the ARA; prompt HSFO is tight in Gibraltar; LSMGO supply improves in Durban.

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RESIZED ENGINE Europe and Africa

The following article regarding Europe and Africa bunker fuel availability has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

  • Prompt supply is tight in the ARA
  • Prompt HSFO is tight in Gibraltar
  • LSMGO supply improves in Durban

Northwest Europe

All grades remain in tight supply for prompt dates in Rotterdam. HSFO now requires lead times of 7-10 days, while VLSFO and LSMGO need 5-7 days. Refinery maintenance work in Rotterdam has triggered the supply crunch, a source told ENGINE.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks averaged 2% higher in October than across September, according to Insights Global data.

The region imported 257,000 b/d of fuel oil in October, up from 229,000 b/d imported in September, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. The ARA imported low-sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) and HSFO in a 48/52 ratio in October, unlike September's 51/49 ratio which was leaning towards LSFO.

The UK (22% of the total) emerged as the region’s biggest fuel oil import source in October. The US (12%) came in second, while Turkey ranked third at 9%. This was followed by Lithuania (8%), France and Poland (7% each).

The ARA hub’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil - came down by 10% in October, despite higher imports. The region imported 410,000 b/d of gasoil in October, a sharp rise from September’s 291,000 b/d, according to Vortexa data.

Securing prompt supply is not a challenge in Germany’s Hamburg port. The port has ample supply for all grades, a trader said. Lead times of 3-4 days are generally recommended, a trader said.

Mediterranean

HSFO is tight in Gibraltar for very prompt delivery dates, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of 5-7 days are recommended for optimal coverage for the grade. VLSFO and LSMGO availability is relatively better with short lead times of 3-5 days advised. Bunkering may be disrupted in Gibraltar on Thursday and Friday because of wind gusts of 19-21 knots.

HSFO is tight in the Spanish ports of Las Palmas and Barcelona, according to a trader.

Las Palmas port in the Canary Islands has faced limited HSFO supply in recent weeks, with recommended lead times now around 11 days. In contrast, VLSFO and LSMGO supply is ample and most suppliers can deliver both grades for prompt dates, a trader said.

In Barcelona, all grades have been tight since the start of the week. HSFO and VLSFO supplies are particularly constrained, with recommended lead times of 7-10 days. LSMGO requires lead times of 5-7 days.

Demand has been negligible in other Mediterranean ports like Piraeus, Malta Offshore and Istanbul, a trader said.

Greece’s Piraeus port has normal availability across all three grades. After experiencing minor supply pressures earlier in the week, conditions eased on Wednesday, with suppliers now offering prompt delivery across all grades.

Bunkering disruptions may occur in Piraeus from Wednesday till Saturday amid rough weather, a source said.

Off Malta, bunker availability is normal for all three grades, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of 3-4 days are advised across all three grades. Bad weather is forecast between Wednesday and Saturday, which may impact bunkering. 

Turkey’s Istanbul also has prompt supply available for all three grades, a trader said. Lead times of 3-4 days are recommended in the port. Adverse weather forecast in the port area between Wednesday and Saturday may disrupt bunkering.

Africa

VLSFO supply is good for non-prompt delivery dates in South Africa’s Durban and Richards Bay with lead times of 7-10 days advised. LSMGO supply has resumed in Durban after recent supply shortages. Lead times of 7-10 days are recommended for the grade.

Rough weather may cause bunkering delays in Durban on Wednesday with wind gusts of up to 30 knots forecast in the area. Bunkering in the area is typically halted when gusts exceed 35 knots and if visibility is low due to heavy rain, a source said. 

Meanwhile, supply pressures have eased in Mauritius’ Port Louis, a trader said. Suppliers are now able to offer prompt delivery dates for all grades. The port had previously faced tight supplies with lead times extending up to ten days until last week.

By Manjula Nair

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 7 November, 2024

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