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ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Russian fuel oil flows into the ARA again, Gibraltar Strait grapples with weather disruptions; bunker supply normal in Algoa Bay and Durban.

Published

2 years ago

December 15, 2022

Admin

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:

14 December 2022

Russian fuel oil flows into the ARA again
Gibraltar Strait grapples with weather disruptions
Bunker supply normal in Algoa Bay and Durban

Northwest Europe

Bunker fuel availability is said to be normal for all fuel grades in the ARA hub, with several suppliers offering prompt deliveries of LSMGO in the region. Recommended lead times for LSMGO and VLSFO in Rotterdam are 3-4 days, while HSFO requires around 5-6 days, sources say.

The ARA's independent fuel oil stocks have averaged 1% higher so far this month than in November, according to Insights Global data. Stocks have increased despite signs of a drop in net imports. Meanwhile, Russia has once again emerged as the top fuel oil import source for the region in December.

According to cargo tracker Vortexa, Russia has accounted for 37% of total fuel oil inflows to the ARA so far in December. This is the first time since August that Vortexa has picked up a Russian fuel oil cargo arrival in the ARA. Other sources of fuel oil imports to the region this month have included the UK, Finland, France, Denmark, Poland and Germany.

The ARA’s average gasoil stocks have also increased this month, but remain far below their five-year average position. This comes as gasoil imports to the region have increased by a significant 274,000 b/d over November levels. Russia remains the top gasoil import source for the ARA.

Strike action at BP's Rotterdam refinery ended last week, which is set to further boost bunker fuel supply in the ARA, according to sources. The strike had left BP’s 393,800 b/d nameplate capacity at Rotterdam refinery idled for nearly two weeks.

Supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal off Skaw, requiring lead times of around seven days, a source says. Prompt availability of HSFO is tight and may require longer lead times, the source adds.

Mediterranean

Key ports in the Gibraltar Strait are facing weather-related disruptions this week. Bunker fuel supply across all grades is said to be normal in the region, but adverse weather conditions could delay deliveries there, sources say.

Suppliers are working to clear bunker backlogs in Gibraltar after bunkering resumed from a one-day suspension on Wednesday. All suppliers experienced delays on Wednesday due to bad weather, according to port agent MH Bland. 18 vessels were waiting to bunker in the port.

Suppliers in Algeciras and Ceuta have also been struggling to deliver stems due to adverse weather conditions. Anchorage bunkering has been suspended in Ceuta on Wednesday. Weather is forecast to remain rough in Ceuta until Saturday, which could cause more delays.

Meanwhile, bunker operations are running normally in other regional bunker locations such as Malta, Las Palmas and Tenerife. All ports and one in six bunkering areas off Malta were operational on Wednesday morning, Seatrans Shipping agency says.

With Gibraltar, Algeciras and Ceuta facing weather-related disruptions, bunker calls are expected to rise in other ports in the Gibraltar Strait and wider Mediterranean region, sources say. An average of eight vessels have arrived to bunker in Malta each day this week, which is almost the same as last week.

With robust demand in Malta this week, securing prompt deliveries of VLSFO and LSMGO can be difficult there, a source says. Prompt delivery prospects for the two grades are expected to improve from next week, the source adds.

Bunker fuel supply is also steady in Las Palmas, sources say.

And in the Greek port of Piraeus, availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal, a source says.

Africa

Suppliers are working to clear bunker backlogs in Algoa Bay as bunkering resumed on Wednesday after being suspended for two days, Rennies Ships Agency says. Four vessels were waiting to bunker at anchorage and 14 more are scheduled to arrive in Algoa Bay and Port Elizabeth for bunkers this week, Rennies says.

Bunker supply is steady in South Africa’s Durban and Algoa Bay. Recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries in Durban are around seven days, a source says.

Prompt supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal in Mozambique’s Nacala, a source says. Four vessels are due to arrive for bunkers in Nacala this week. Suppliers can offer prompt delivery of LSMGO in nearby Maputo, while VLSFO availability is said to be tight this week, the source adds.

By Shilpa Sharma

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 15 December, 2022

Alternative Fuels

Argus Green Marine Fuels Asia eBook released ahead of February bunker conference

eBook features interviews with Microsoft, JERA, IBIA, Anglo American, Sumitomo Corporation, Hafnia, BHP, Global Maritime Forum, DS NORDEN, ADNOC Group, and Standard Chartered Bank.

Published

2 days ago

January 17, 2025

Admin

Argus Media organises Green Marine Fuels Asia Conference in Singapore

Independent global energy and commodity market intelligence provider Argus Media recently published an eBook as part of a prelude leading towards the Argus Green Marine Fuels Asia Conference on 18 to 19 February in Singapore.

The Pre-conference content: Argus marine fuels Asia eBook features exclusive industry interviews with Microsoft, JERA, IBIA, Anglo American, Sumitomo Corporation, Hafnia, BHP, Global Maritime Forum, DS NORDEN, ADNOC Group, and Standard Chartered Bank.

It offers a peek into their thoughts on infrastructure readiness, the marine fuels shipowners are gravitating towards, LNG decarbonisation pathways, collaboration across the marine fuels value chain, and more.

The eBook is available for download through the image below:

The Argus Green Marine Fuels Asia Conference will be held at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, 6 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039594 on 18 to 19 February in Singapore.

Key speakers for the event include Kenneth Lim, Assistant Chief Executive (Industry & Transformation), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA); Torben Nørgaard, Chief Technology Officer - Energy & Fuels, Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center; Jerid Soo, Assistant General Manager (Global Sustainability and ESG), Pacific International Lines; Kazuki Yamaguchi, General Manager and Head, Maritime Energy Solution, Energy Transformation Business Group, Sumitomo Corporation; and Mahua Chakravarty, Editor, Marine Fuels (Asia), Argus.

Photo credit: Argus Media
Published: 17 January, 2024

Bunker Fuel

TFG Marine, OOMCO form bunker fuel joint venture to supply in Oman ports

TFG-OOMCO will deliver bunker fuels to vessels visiting Oman’s ports of Duqm, Muscat and Sohar and offer customers a reliable and transparent bunkering provider in the Arabian Gulf.

Published

2 days ago

January 17, 2025

Admin

TFG Marine, OOMCO form bunker fuel joint venture to supply in Oman ports

TFG Marine, the international marine fuel joint venture founded by Trafigura, Frontline and Golden Ocean on Thursday (16 January) said it has established a bunker fuel joint venture with Oman Oil Marketing Company (OOMCO) to supply vessels visiting Oman’s ports of Duqm, Muscat and Sohar.

TFG-OOMCO LLC, incorporated in Oman, will combine the local knowledge of OOMCO with the international footprint, sourcing of all grades of marine fuels, infrastructure and logistics capability of TFG Marine, to offer customers a reliable and transparent bunkering provider in the Arabian Gulf.

Tarik Al Junaidi, CEO of Oman Oil Marketing Company, said: “This partnership aligns with Oman Oil Marketing Company’s efforts to develop the maritime transport and shipping infrastructure in Oman, which is in alignment with the objectives Oman Vision 2040.”

“It underscores our commitment to meeting the increasing demand of compliant, high-quality marine grades of fuel while adhering to the highest international health, safety, and environmental standards.”

“Through our partnership with TFG Marine, the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and the implementation of global best practices in fuel bunkering, we strive to lead towards excellence and sustainability in the bunker fuel business in the Sultanate’s ports.”

Mark Russell, Chief Commercial Officer, TFG Marine, said: “This is TFG Marine’s first venture in the Middle East and we look forward to serving our customers in this region. Oman has a rich history as a maritime nation and is well located close to the main shipping routes connecting the Arabian Gulf and the Indian subcontinent with the rest of the world.”

The announcement follows the signing of an MOU agreement between SOHAR Port and Freezone and TFG Marine, to establish an international bunker fuel supply operation.

TFG Marine has already deployed bunker vessel Margherita Cosulich to the region to supply vessels at SOHAR’s deep-sea port. The vessel is fitted with a Mass Flow Meter (MFM), calibrated to the ISO 22192 international standard as required by SOHAR Port. SOHAR Port in February 2024 announced a mandate on the alignment of ISO 22192 standards ‘Bunkering of marine fuel using the Coriolis MFM system’ for all marine fuel supply operations within the port.

TFG Marine added it has long been an advocate of the global adoption of calibrated MFMs to bring much-needed transparency to bunkering and encouraging digitalisation in the long-term interests of the bunker industry and helping to further the decarbonisation goals of the shipping industry.

Photo credit: TFG Marine
Published: 17 January, 2025

Biofuel

Burando Energies delivers B30 bio bunker fuel to tug “MV Bylgia” in Rotterdam

Firm said it successfully delivered ISCC-certified B30 biofuel blend, derived from renewable feedstocks, to Heerema’s Anchor Handling Tug “MV Bylgia” at Port of Rotterdam.

Published

2 days ago

January 17, 2025

Admin

Burando Energies delivers B30 bio bunker fuel to tug “MV Bylgia” in Rotterdam

Burando Energies on Thursday (16 January) announced it successfully delivered ISCC-certified biofuel to Heerema’s Anchor Handling Tug MV Bylgia at the Port of Rotterdam.

The delivered B30 biofuel blend, derived from renewable feedstocks, will help reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 25% (well-to-wake)—an impactful move in Heerema’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.

“This delivery not only reflects our commitment to offering sustainable energy solutions but also strengthens our partnership with Heerema in their green ambitions,” said Duncan Huisman, Sustainable Bunker Trader at Burando Energies.

“We are proud to contribute to initiatives that prioritise the well-being of our planet and future generations.”

Burando Energies said it will continue to focus on innovation and sustainability, striving to provide energy solutions that drive both environmental progress and business success.

Photo credit: Burando Energies
Published: 17 January, 2025