Business

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

Bunker Fuel

SIBCON 2024: Singapore bunker suppliers must provide e-BDN from 1 April 2025

Senior Minister of State Amy Khor also announced MPA will reduce the frequency of verification checks for mass flow meters from twice a year currently, to once a year, from 1 April 2025.

Published

6 hours ago

October 9, 2024

Admin

SIBCON 2024: Singapore bunker suppliers must provide e-BDN from 1 April 2025

From 1 April 2025, all bunker suppliers in the Port of Singapore will be required to provide digital bunkering services as a default, said Senior Minister of State for Transport and Sustainability and the Environment Amy Khor on Wednesday (9 October).

Khor said Singapore will be the first port globally to implement digital bunkering at scale. MPA launched the digital bunkering initiative on 1 November 2023, becoming the first port in the world to implement electronic bunker delivery notes (e-BDN).

“This initiative is expected to save the industry close to 40,000 man-days annually. In addition, MPA will introduce a centralised electronic Bunker Delivery Note record verification facility to enhance the transparency and integrity of transactions in bunkering operations,” she said in her speech at the 23rd Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition (SIBCON).

She emphasised that the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will work closely with industry partners and the unions to digitalise and streamline processes to improve efficiency in our port; strengthen our capabilities for the bunkering of future fuels and encourage adoption of these fuels; and upskill our workforce to facilitate the green transition.

Khor also made the following announcements:

From 1 April 2025, MPA will reduce the frequency of verification checks for mass flow meters from twice a year currently, to once a year. Singapore was the first port globally to adopt mass flow meters in 2017, and this new move is expected to help the industry save approximately $300,000 annually.
From 1 January 2025, MPA will roll out two innovative AI applications, DocuMind and DocuMatch, developed in collaboration with cloud service providers to drive greater efficiency in our port. These are expected to accelerate certificate processing time from up to three days currently, to a few minutes for most transactions.
Two ammonia bunkering proposals by Mitsui and Fortescue-Equatorial Marine Fuels have been selected by the consortia for the next round of Request for Proposal to provide a low- or zero-carbon ammonia solution on Jurong Island for power generation and bunkering.
MPA will commit $50 million to support the implementation of the refreshed Maritime Singapore Green Initiative, to further encourage the early adoption of green fuels and technologies across the maritime industry.
Singapore will continue to strengthen international partnerships through initiatives like the Green and Digital Shipping Corridors (GDSCs) to enable the digitalisation and decarbonisation of shipping. On 9 October, MPA and the Shandong Provincial Transport Department will be signing the Singapore-Shandong GDSC at the sidelines of the 25th Singapore-Shandong Business Council co-chaired by Mr Chee Hong Tat, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance, and Mr Zhou Naixiang, Governor of the Shandong Provincial Government.

Photo credit: Singapore Ministry of Transport
Published: 9 October, 2024

Mass Flowmeter

Singapore-based Metcore and LR team up for MFM certification service

Both launched an independent accredited certification service to certify the accuracy and reliability of bunker fuel quantity received via Mass Flow Meters.

Published

6 hours ago

October 9, 2024

Admin

Singapore-based MFM system measurement solutions provider, Metcore International Pte Ltd (Metcore), and classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) on Tuesday (8 October) launched an independent accredited certification service to certify the accuracy and reliability of the quantity of fuel received via Mass Flow Meters (MFM).

The service provides an additional conformity assessment of the installed meters, positioned, used, maintained and continually certified to the ISO 22192:2021 standard.

The demand for greater accuracy in delivered bunker quantities, coupled with the need for greater transparency, security and process automation, is fuelling the widespread adoption of MFMs across the bunker industry. In 2017, the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore mandated the use of MFM for bunkering operations. SOHAR Port and Freezone has announced a mandate from the start of 2025 and the Port of Rotterdam and Antwerp-Bruges are also set to introduce mandatory use of MFMs in 2026.

To help address the concerns that shipowners and bunker buyers have with the use of MFM on bunker tankers, the LR-Metcore MFM certification service aims to minimise the likely causes of measurement error and ensure that the MFM system serviceability extends beyond its initial qualification at installation. Its post-approval conformity assessment program includes metering-data analysis to monitor crew competency to help maintain secure integrity for continual measurement performance.

In the event of a dispute, the service also offers an independent bunker delivery MFM digital data review as part of the investigation process, helping ensure all parties can carry out a detailed review of the data.

Lewis Cox, LR’s FOBAS Business Development Area Manager, said: “With the potential to eliminate bunker quantity disputes, minimise turnaround time and boost confidence in delivery data – particularly as ship operators seek to account for emissions from the fuel they consume – using Mass Flow Meters seems to be a win for all stakeholders.”

“But the reality of adopting them is not necessarily as straightforward. With the new LR-Metcore MFM certification service, bunkering stakeholders will have peace of mind that their installed meters are certified in conformity with internationally recognised standards for enhanced transparency and trust.”

Photo credit: Metcore International
Published: 9 October, 2024

LNG Bunkering

Seaspan Energy takes delivery of first LNG bunkering vessel

“Seaspan Garibaldi” will take first cargo and finalise commissioning in Vancouver before its first ship-to-ship bunkering in Long Beach, where Seaspan will bunker a series of vessels.

Published

6 hours ago

October 9, 2024

Admin

Seaspan Energy takes delivery of first LNG bunkering vessel “Seaspan Garibaldi”

Seaspan Energy on Monday (7 October) said it took delivery of its first LNG bunkering vessel, the Seaspan Garibaldi and is currently sailing to Vancouver.

Manifold Times previously reported that the vessel is the first of three 7,600m3 LNG bunkering vessels and it is named after Mount Garibaldi, or “Nch'ḵay̓”.

The Garibaldi will take first cargo and finalise commissioning in Vancouver before its first ship-to-ship bunkering in Long Beach, where Seaspan will provide Simultaneous Operations to bunker a series of vessels.

Following its first bunkering, the Seaspan Garibaldi will continue to provide low-carbon solutions to vessels on the West Coast of North America and will soon be joined by Seaspan Energy’s second LNG bunkering vessel, the Seaspan Lions (Ch’ich’iyúy Elxwíkn).

The Seaspan Garibaldi is 112.8 metres in length, 18.6 metres in width, 5 metres in draft, with a design speed of 13 knots.

CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering (CIMC SOE), a small-scale gas carrier shipyard in the world, was appointed to build all three LNG bunkering vessels.

Photo credit: Seaspan
Published: 9 October, 2024