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ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

ARA fuel oil and gasoil stocks drawn massively in 2022; bad weather could disrupt bunkering in Las Palmas; fuel availability normal in South African ports.

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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:

4 January 2023

  • ARA fuel oil and gasoil stocks drawn massively in 2022
  • Bad weather could disrupt bunkering in Las Palmas
  • Fuel availability normal in South African ports

 

Northwest Europe

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO grades is normal in the ARA hub, with recommended lead times of around 3-4 days. But securing prompt delivery of HSFO can be difficult there, requiring a longer period of around 5-6 days.

The region’s fuel oil stocks averaged 17% lower last year than across 2021, according to Insights Global data.

Dwindling Russian fuel oil inflows along with steady fuel oil exports could be reasons behind the significant draw of ARA's fuel oil inventories in 2022.

According to cargo tracker Vortexa, no Russian fuel oil cargoes arrived in the region between August and November. However, fuel oil imports from Russia resumed in December, bringing Russia back to become the fourth-largest fuel oil import source for the ARA.

Russia used to be the absolute top fuel oil import source for the region before it invaded Ukraine, and European countries and companies responded with sanctions and self-sanctions on Russian oil. By 5 February, all imports of Russian fuel oil, gasoil and other oil products must be phased out in the ARA and other EU ports.

The ARA's gasoil stocks averaged 26% lower last year than in 2021.

Bunker fuel availability is currently normal in northern German ports, but could come under pressure in the future because the Schwedt refinery halted all crude oil imports from Russia last Sunday. 

Fuel oil supplied as bunker fuels in Hamburg and other northern German ports is mostly produced at Schwedt. Crude oil has historically piped into the refinery from Russia via the Druzhba pipeline. The refinery has already replaced Russian crude oil with oil from Poland and other sources in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, the availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal in Hamburg. Lead times of 3-5 days are advised for VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries there, while HSFO supply remains subject to enquiry. 

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. Availability of HSFO is tight in the region and may require longer lead times, the source adds.

 

Mediterranean

Bunker fuels supply is said to be normal in most ports in the Gibraltar Strait, while securing prompt delivery of VLSFO and HSFO can be slightly difficult in Malta this week, a source says.

There have been few enquiries for prompt bunker deliveries in the Gibraltar Strait this week, the source says.

Slight congestion was reported in Gibraltar on Wednesday. One supplier experienced 12 hours of delay, according to port agent MH Bland. All three suppliers in Algeciras experienced 6-12 hours of delays on Wednesday.

No congestion has been reported in Malta and Ceuta this week. Eight vessels were scheduled to arrive in Ceuta on Wednesday, according to shipping agent Jose Salama & Co.

12 vessels were due to arrive for bunkers in and off Malta on Wednesday, according to Seatrans Shipping agency.

A forecast of bad weather conditions this week has raised concerns over smooth bunker deliveries at Las Palmas’ outer anchorage, MH Bland says. Strong swells of 1.5 meter hit Las Palmas on Wednesday, but suppliers were still delivering as usual there, a source says. The weather is forecast to remain bad until Saturday, which could complicate deliveries.

 

Africa

Bunker operations were in progress in Algoa Bay on Wednesday. But strong winds and heavy swells could hamper bunker deliveries there this week, a source says. Strong winds of 25 knots and swells ranging up to 2.5 meter hit the region on Wednesday. Swells of 2.6 meter are forecast to hit Algoa Bay on Thursday.

Three vessels were waiting to receive bunkers at anchorage in Algoa Bay on Wednesday and 12 more vessels are scheduled to arrive this week, according to Rennies Ships Agency.

Meanwhile, bunker fuel availability is said to be normal in Algoa Bay and in Durban. Lead times of seven days are recommended for deliveries in both locations, a source says.

Bunkering is going ahead as normal in Mozambique’s Nacala and Maputo ports. A total of six vessels are scheduled to arrive to bunker across the two ports this week, down from seven last week.

By Shilpa Sharma

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 5 January, 2022

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Alternative Fuels

New agreements inked to advance marine electrification in Singapore

Lita Ocean, SeaTech Solutions, Pascal Technologies, and Evoy will develop a fully electric passenger harbour craft, specifically for Singapore, while Yinson GreenTech and Evoy will develop electric vessels.

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New agreements inked to advance marine electrification in Singapore

Innovation Norway and Team Norway on Wednesday (6 November) announced two agreements aimed at advancing sustainable maritime solutions, signed at the Singapore Norway Innovation Conference (SNIC) 2024.

The first agreement—a Letter of Intent (LOI)—was signed by Lita Ocean Pte Ltd, SeaTech Solutions International (S) Pte Ltd, Pascal Technologies AS, and Evoy AS, to develop a fully electric high-speed harbour craft specifically designed for Singapore’s maritime landscape. The second agreement—a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)—was signed between Yinson GreenTech and Evoy, aiming to foster collaboration in marine electrification across Asia. 

The LOI signed between Lita Ocean, SeaTech Solutions, Pascal Technologies, and Evoy marks a key milestone in Singapore’s ongoing efforts to decarbonize its maritime industry. 

The project will develop a fully electric passenger harbour craft, integrating cutting-edge technologies like advanced electric propulsion and air lubrication systems to maximise energy efficiency and performance. This new vessel will set new standards for sustainable harbour operations and support Singapore’s green transformation goals in maritime transportation. 

Evoy sign MOU in Norway Singapore agreement 02

The collaboration builds on previous advancements in electric harbour crafts in Singapore, positioning the project as a critical step toward achieving maritime decarbonisation and a cleaner, greener future for the region. 

Additionally, Yinson GreenTech and Evoy have signed an MoU that will combine their strengths to drive marine electrification in the region. Yinson GreenTech’s electrification solutions, paired with Evoy’s electric propulsion systems, will support the conversion of internal combustion engine (ICE) vessels to electric power and foster the development of new electric vessels. 

This partnership is aimed at advancing the transition to a more sustainable maritime industry, with the shared goal of exploring new opportunities, collaborating on upcoming projects, and playing a key role in the broader transition to greener shipping solutions in Asia. 

The MoU was signed by Jan-Viggo Johansen, Managing Director of marinEV at Yinson GreenTech, and Mads Roland-Glimsholt, Business Development Manager at Evoy. 

“As a proud partner in this Norway-Singapore initiative, Evoy is excited to bring our high-performance electric propulsion systems to Singapore’s maritime landscape. We are committed to setting new standards in sustainable harbour craft and working with our partners to support a greener future in maritime transport” Mads Roland-Glimsholt, Business Development Manager at Evoy. 

 

Photo credit: Evoy
Published: 8 November, 2024

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Vessel Arrest

Malaysia: MMEA detains tanker in Sekinchan waters for anchoring illegally

Investigations found that 13 crew consisting of six Myanmar nationals, four Bangladeshis and three Indonesians, were on board the tanker when detained.

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Malaysia: MMEA detains tanker in Sekinchan waters for anchoring illegally

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Thursday (7 November) said it has detained a tanker for anchoring without permission in Sekinchan waters. 

Selangor MMEA director Captain Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh said the tanker was detained by a MMEA patrol boat at 9.6 nautical miles southwest of Sekinchan at 5 pm on that day.

Investigations found that 13 crew consisting of six Myanmar nationals, four Bangladeshis and three Indonesians, were on board the tanker when detained.

Further examination of the documents found that the ship's captain failed to present any documents for permission to anchor.

The ship's captain, 56, and chief engineer, 39, have been taken to Selangor MMEA Headquarters for further investigation.

The case is being investigated under Section 491B (1) (l) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952.

 

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 8 November, 2024

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Alternative Fuels

ExxonMobil supplies Hapag-Lloyd with B25 bio bunker fuel blend in Antwerp

Firm supplied Hapag-Lloyd vessel “Colorado Express” with 1,320 mt of B25 bio marine fuel blend, which consisted of ExxonMobil’s Premium HDME 50™ fuel and waste-based FAME derived from UCOME.

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Hapag-Lloyd

ExxonMobil on Thursday (7 November) said it supplied Hapag-Lloyd’s vessel Colorado Express with 1,320 metric tonnes (mt) of a B25 bio marine fuel blend in Antwerp. 

The blend consisted of ExxonMobil’s Premium HDME 50™ fuel, a 0.10% sulphur Emission Control Area (ECA) fuel, and waste-based fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) derived from used cooking oil methyl ester (UCOME).

“The ‘drop-in’ blend met the requirements of ISO 8217:2017 with the exception of the FAME component. The FAME content complied with EN 14214,” ExxonMobil said in a statement.

“The bio component was made material certified as meeting the sustainability requirements of the RED II: feedstocks not in competition with land for food production.”

ExxonMobil’s bio marine fuel blend underwent a range of tests prior to delivery in Antwerp. 

The blend offered an estimated 20.1% well-to-wake greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction compared with conventional marine fuel formulations on an energy basis.

“Hapag-Lloyd aims at having net-zero carbon fleet operations by 2045. As part of that commitment, we are continuously looking for opportunities to onboard new bio blends in our fuels mix. We appreciate ExxonMobil’s efforts to supply us with a bio blend with ULSFO, which is another step forward in our decarbonisation journey,” said Ilyas Muhammad, Head of Green Fuels at Hapag-Lloyd. 

“We successfully bunkered bio-ULSFO blend at our Colorado Express and so far our operational experience with this product is positive. We look forward to increasing bio-ULSFO consumption in the future,” said Nikolai Doerner, Senior Manager Biofuels at Hapag-Lloyd.

The Colorado Express used the bio marine fuel blend without incident; both NOx and particulate emissions were within accepted limits.

“ExxonMobil is looking for ways to support our customers [to] reduce their GHG emissions,” said Pelin Gillis, Marine Fuels Sales Manager, BNL, ExxonMobil. “We are proud to have helped Hapag-Lloyd on their journey to a lower GHG emissions future.”

“ExxonMobil has greatly extended its range of ‘drop-in’ bio marine fuel blends,” said Armelle Breneol, Marine Fuels Technical Advisor, ExxonMobil. 

“We now offer a B25 ULSFO, a B30 VLSFO, a B7 MGO and a B10 HSFO. This will help our customers access the blend they need to meet their engine operations and GHG emission reduction goals.”

 

Photo credit: Hapag-Lloyd
Published: 8 November, 2024

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