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ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Russian fuel oil inflows continue in the ARA; bunker fuel supply normal in Gibraltar Strait; bunkering halted in Algoa Bay.

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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:

21 December 2022

  • Russian fuel oil inflows continue in the ARA
  • Bunker fuel supply normal in Gibraltar Strait
  • Bunkering halted in Algoa Bay

 

Northwest Europe

Bunker fuel availability remains steady 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 slightly lower so far this month than in November, according to Insights Global data. Average fuel oil stocks have also decreased some this month amid signs of a drop in net imports.

Meanwhile, Russia has emerged as the second-largest fuel oil import source for the ARA. According to cargo tracker Vortexa, Russia has accounted for 17% of total fuel oil inflows into the ARA so far in December. This is the first month since August that Vortexa has picked up Russian fuel oil cargoes arriving in the ARA. Denmark has been the top source of fuel oil imports for the region in December followed by Russia, Lithuania, the UK, Germany, Finland, Poland, France, Argentina and Estonia.

Strike action at BP’s Rotterdam refinery ended earlier this month, and a revival in production there 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 Rotterdam refinery idled for nearly two weeks.

The ARA’s average gasoil stocks have increased by 4% this month but remain far below their five-year average position. This comes as gasoil imports to the region have increased by almost 50% to 714,000 b/d so far this month over November levels, going by Vortexa data.

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

Bunker supply is normal in Germany’s Hamburg and recommended lead times are about five days across all grades.

LSMGO and VLSFO supply is normal in Bremerhaven but securing prompt delivery of HSFO can be difficult there, a source says.

 

Mediterranean

Bunker fuel supply across all grades is said to be normal in Gibraltar this week, sources say. Conducive weather conditions in the region have helped suppliers to clear a backlog of vessels. Bad weather had previously disrupted bunker operations in Gibraltar for several days. One supplier in Gibraltar and three in Algeciras experienced slight delays on Wednesday, according to port agent MH Bland.

Bunker operations are running normally in other regional ports in the Gibraltar Strait.

Prompt supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal in Algeciras, Ceuta, Las Palmas, and Malta, according to sources. However, HSFO deliveries remain subject to enquiries in most regional ports.

Some congestion was reported in Ceuta on Wednesday, according to shipping agent Jose Salama & Cia. 13 vessels were due to arrive for bunkers.

No congestion has been reported in Malta this week, according to Seatrans Shipping agency. An average of nine vessels have arrived to bunker in Malta each day this week, which is slightly more than last week.

In the Greek port of Piraeus, availability of VLSFO, LSMGO and HSFO is said to be normal, a source says. Suppliers can deliver stems for prompt dates there, the source adds.

 

Africa

Strong winds have hit Algoa Bay, disrupting smooth bunker deliveries in the region since Tuesday, according to Rennies Ships Agency. Weather conditions are forecast to remain rough until Friday morning, which could cause more delays and disruptions. Nine vessels are scheduled to arrive for bunkers in Algoa Bay and Port Elizabeth this week, Rennies says. Meanwhile, bunker supply is said to be steady there as well as in Durban.

Lead times of around seven days are advised for VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries in Durban and Algoa Bay, a source says.

Prompt supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal in Mozambique’s Nacala port, a source says. The two grades are tight for prompt delivery in Maputo, the source adds. Three vessels are due to arrive for bunkers in Nacala and Maputo this week.

By Shilpa Sharma

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 22 December, 2022

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Winding up

Singapore: High Court to hear Norvic Shipping Asia winding up application on 31 July

Application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to Government Gazette notice.

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RESIZED singapore high court

An application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to a Tuesday (21 July) notice on the Government Gazette.

It noted the winding up application is directed to be heard before the Judge sitting in the General Division of the High Court at 10am on 31 July.

Any creditor or contributory of the company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the winding up application may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose.

A copy of the winding up application will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the company requiring the copy of the winding up application by the solicitors of the applicant’s, Oon & Bazul LLC, on payment of the regulated charge for the same.

The Applicant’s address is Hiridostraat 5, Gebouw Prismatrium, 1101CW Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The Applicant’s solicitors are Oon & Bazul LLC of 103 Penang Rd, #04-04/05/06 Singapore 238467. 

Queries on the winding up application may be directed to the following email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected].

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.

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World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

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HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

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