Business

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

ARA stocks recover after 2022 draws; bunkering temporarily halted off Maltal, fuel availability normal in South African ports.

Published

4 years ago

January 12, 2023

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:

11 January 2023

ARA stocks recover after 2022 draws
Bunkering temporarily halted off Malta
Fuel availability normal in South African ports

Northwest Europe

Most suppliers in Rotterdam are booked up for prompt dates this week, indicating good demand in the region, according to sources. Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO grades is said to be normal in the ARA bunkering hub, with recommended lead times of around 3-4 days. HSFO requires a longer 5-6 days ahead.

The region’s fuel oil stocks have recovered from draw last year. The inventories have averaged 4% higher so far this month than in December, according to Insights Global data. Even as fuel oil stocks have increased on the month in January, they remain below their five-year average position for the year.

According to cargo tracker Vortexa, no Russian fuel oil cargoes arrived in the ARA between August and November last year. Fuel oil inflows from Russia then resumed in December, and Russia emerged as the fifth-largest fuel oil source for the ARA in January.

The ARA’s gasoil stocks have averaged 12% higher so far this month, compared to December levels. Russia remains the top source for gasoil imports in the ARA with 54% of the total, according to Vortexa.

Supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal in the German port of Hamburg, while HSFO delivery prospects remain subject to enquiry.

Bunker fuels supply is normal normal-to-tight for prompt dates off Skaw, requiring lead times of around seven days, a source says. HSFO deliveries are subject to enquiries in the region, the source adds.

In France’s Montoir port, prompt supply of LSMGO is said to be normal.

Mediterranean

Bunker fuels supply is also normal in Gibraltar Strait ports. Recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO grades in Gibraltar are around 3-4 days, and HSFO requires 5-6 days, a source says.

Slight congestion was reported in Gibraltar on Wednesday, where two suppliers experienced 2-6 hours of delays, according to port agent MH Bland.

Bunkering was progressing normally in Ceuta and Las Palmas on Friday. Strong waves of 2.2 meter are forecast to hit Las Palmas on Thursday, which could cause delays. Seven vessels were scheduled to arrive in Ceuta on Wednesday, according to shipping agent Jose Salama & Co.

All bunkering areas were reopened for supply off Malta on Wednesday after being suspended for a day due to rough weather, according to Seatrans Shipping agency. However, weather conditions are forecast to deteriorate over the next few days, which could complicate deliveries there, a source says.

An average of 11 vessels have arrived for bunkers in and off Malta this week, and suppliers have ample stocks to offer prompt deliveries, a source says.

In the Greek port of Piraeus, prompt supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal.

Africa

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 regions, a source says.

Bunker operations were in progress in Algoa Bay on Wednesday. But strong winds and heavy swells are forecast to hit the region on Thursday and Friday, which could hamper bunker deliveries there, a source says.

One vessel was 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.

Bunkering is going ahead as normal in Mozambique’s Nacala and Maputo ports. A total of five vessels are scheduled to arrive to bunker across the two ports this week, down from six last week. Meanwhile, availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal in both locations.

By Shilpa Sharma

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 12 January, 2023

Legal

Singapore withdraws remaining 127 charges against Hin Leong founder OK Lim

Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges on 17 July.

Published

17 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

Founder of collapsed oil trader Hin Leong Trading, Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, has had the remaining 127 charges against him withdrawn, according to The Straits Times on Monday (20 July).

OK Lim was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges, including those for cheating, on 17 July. The discharge means Lim cannot be prosecuted again for the same offences.

Lim, 84, is currently serving a 13½-year prison sentence after the High Court reduced his original 17½-year jail term in March 2026. He was convicted in 2024 on two cheating charges and one count of abetting forgery in a case prosecutors described as one of Singapore’s most serious trade finance frauds.

Lim was convicted in May 2024 of two charges of cheating the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and one count of abetting forgery that proceeded to trial out of a total of 130 criminal charges.

He was first charged in court on 14 August 2020, and was subsequently handed further charges in court on 25 September 2020, 30 April 2021 and 24 June 2021 for his role in perpetuating fraud on various financial institutions.

A total of 130 charges were eventually brought against him for cheating and forgery-related offences.

Photo credit: Sora Shimazaki
Published: 21 July, 2026

Winding up

Singapore: Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd to be wound up voluntarily

Coastal Logistics was reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

Published

17 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

Several resolutions for Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd were made during an extraordinary general meeting held on 14 July, according to a notice in the Government Gazette on Friday (4 July).

The following resolutions were duly passed during the meeting:

As Special Resolution

That it has been proved to the satisfaction of the meeting that the Company cannot by reason of its liabilities continue its business and accordingly the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 160(1)(b) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 (No. 40 of 2018);

As Ordinary Resolutions

that Mr. Wong Pheng Cheong Martin and Ms. Koay May Yee, both care of FTI Consulting (Singapore) Pte Ltd, One Raffles Quay, #27-10 South Tower, Singapore 048583 be appointed as the joint and several Liquidators of the Company for the purpose of such winding up; and
that the Liquidators be at liberty to open, maintain and operate any bank account(s) or account(s) for monies received by them as Liquidators with such bank(s) as they deem fit; and
that a Committee of Inspection will not be formed.

Manifold Times previously reported Nicholas James Gronow, director of Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping and Coastal Logistics, filed statutory declarations for both companies stating the firms cannot continue their businesses due to liabilities.

Both companies were reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

In 2019, several vessels owned by both firms entered the sale & purchase (S&P) market in Singapore.

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
Published: 21 July, 2026

LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Published

17 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post.

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024.

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026