Business

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

ARA gasoil stocks grow with Russian inflows; bunkering in Las Palmas and off Malta hit by weather; fuel supply normal in South African ports.

Published

2 years ago

January 19, 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:

18 January 2023

ARA gasoil stocks grow with Russian inflows
Bunkering in Las Palmas and off Malta hit by weather
Fuel supply normal in South African ports

Northwest Europe

Prompt supply of VLSFO and HSFO is currently tight in Rotterdam and in the wider ARA hub, sources say. However, some suppliers can offer LSMGO for prompt dates. Lead times of around five days are advised for VLSFO delivery in Rotterdam and around six days for HSFO.

The ARA’s independently held gasoil stocks have averaged 13% higher so far this month than in December, according to Insights Global data. European buyers have gradually been filling up gasoil storage tanks since last summer, much helped by continuous imports from Russia. Russia remains the top source for gasoil imports in the ARA with 30% of the total, according to cargo tracker Vortexa.

Following the EU’s ban on imports of seaborne Russian crude oil from 5 December, the EU will also ban imports of refined Russian oil products from 5 February. Anticipating a potential diesel and gasoil supply crunch, European buyers have increased imports to build stocks before the products sanctions kick in.

The ARA’s fuel oil stocks have also averaged 7% higher so far this month than in December amid signs of higher net imports, the Insights Global and Vortexa data show. No Russian fuel oil cargoes were picked up by Vortexa to arrive in the region between August and November last year. However, Russian inflows started again in December, and the country has been the ARA’s eighth largest fuel oil import source in January.

Supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal in the German port of Hamburg, requiring lead times of around five days, a source says. HSFO delivery prospects remain subject to enquiry there.

In Bremerhaven, supply of LSMGO is said to be normal, while VLSFO is currently tight.

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

Mediterranean

Supply of VLSFO and HSFO is currently tight in Gibraltar. Securing prompt deliveries for the two grades can be difficult this week, sources say. LSMGO supply is said to be normal there.

Lead times of 3-4 days are advised for LSMGO delivery in Gibraltar and around five days for VLSFO. HSFO requires longer period of around six days, a source says.

Bunker operations in the Gibraltar Strait region have been affected by adverse weather conditions this week.

Bunkering at anchorage has been suspended in Ceuta since Tuesday due to bad weather, port agent MH Bland says. Strong winds of up to 35 knots are forecast to hit the port on Wednesday, which could cause more delays, it says. Meanwhile, bunker deliveries via ex-pipe at berth are available in Ceuta, according to shipping agent Jose Salama & Co. Two vessels were waiting to bunker at anchorage on Wednesday and eight more were scheduled to arrive.

Bunker operations in the Port of Huelva have been suspended since Monday due to rough weather. The port is forecast to experience harsh weather conditions until Friday morning, which could keep bunkering suspended, MH Bland says. Bunker deliveries by barge can still be carried out at anchorage.

In Las Palmas, suppliers are not delivering stems at the outer anchorage due to weather-related risks, and only one in six bunkering areas off Malta was open for supply on Wednesday amid strong winds, MH Bland says.

Adverse weather conditions in these ports could increase bunker calls in other regional ports including Gibraltar, Algeciras and Tenerife. One supplier in Gibraltar and three suppliers in Algeciras experienced delays on Wednesday.

Besides, one supplier in Gibraltar has been running low on LSMGO stocks this week.

Bunker fuels availability is said to be normal in Malta, but offshore deliveries remain subject to weather conditions, sources say.

No congestion has been reported in Malta this week, according to Seatrans Shipping agency. An average of 10 vessels have arrived to bunker in Malta each day this week.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal in the Greek port of Piraeus, while securing HSFO stems for prompt dates can be difficult, a source says.

Africa

Bunker fuel availability is normal in Algoa Bay and in Durban. Recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSGMO deliveries in both locations are around seven days, a source says.

Conducive weather has allowed bunker operations to run normally in Algoa Bay this week. But strong winds are forecast to hit the region on Sunday, which could hamper bunker deliveries there, a source says.

One vessel was waiting to receive bunkers in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday. 11 vessels are scheduled to arrive this week for bunkers in Algoa Bay and Port Elizabeth, 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. Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal in both locations, a source says.

By Shilpa Sharma

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 19 January, 2023

Newbuilding

Tsuneishi delivers world’s first methanol dual-fuel Ultramax bulker to NYK

“Green Future” was delivered at Tsuneishi factory on 13 May and will be chartered by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers, an NYK Group company, from Kambara Kisen.

Published

24 hours ago

May 15, 2025

Admin

Tsuneishi delivers world’s first methanol dual-fuel Ultramax bulker to NYK

Tsuneishi Shipbuilding on Wednesday (14 May) said it has delivered the world’s first methanol dual-fuel Ultramax bulk carrier, Green Future.

The 65,700 dwt vessel was delivered at its factory on 13 May and will be chartered by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers, an NYK Group company, from Kambara Kisen.

Tsuneishi Shipbuilding said the vessel maintains the high cargo capacity and fuel efficiency characteristic of the TESS66 Aeroline design series, while enabling more sustainable operations through the use of methanol as a fuel.

The methanol fuel tank has been positioned to maximise safety and facilitate smooth cargo handling while maintaining loading efficiency. It is also equipped with a fuel-efficient main engine and Tsuneishi’s proprietary Aeroline technology to reduce wind resistance, delivering superior fuel performance.

Mr Okumura Sachio, Representative Director, President & Executive Officer of Tsuneishi Shipbuilding, said: “This delivery marks just the beginning. We will continue constructing methanol dual-fuelled vessels at our overseas facilities and remain steadfast in our pursuit of technological innovation to contribute to a more sustainable maritime industry and global environment.”

NYK said the vessel is the first bulk carrier in the NYK Group to be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that uses methanol and fuel oil.

Vessel Particulars

LOA: 199.99 m
Breadth: 32.25 m
Depth: 19.15 m
Deadweight: approx. 65,700 metric tonnes
Capacity: approx. 81,500 m3
Draft: 13.8 m

Photo credit: Tsuneishi Shipbuilding
Published: 15 May, 2025

Events

Green Shiptech China Congress to explore alternative bunker fuels and ship technologies

LNG, methanol and ammonia as well as fuel cell integration will be among key issues discussed at the annual conference which will be held on 25 to 26 September in Shanghai.

Published

24 hours ago

May 15, 2025

Admin

Ridge China on Wednesday (14 May) announced it will be hosting the 14th Green Shiptech China Congress (GSCC), an annual conference which will be held on 25 to 26 September in Shanghai.

More than 4,400 experts and decision makers from governments, classification societies, shipowners, shipyards, research institutes, technology/equipment suppliers and consulting companies attended the previous GSCC from 2012 to 2024.

For 2025, over 400 industry experts, corporate decision makers and government officials will be engaged in comprehensive discussions on current issues of IMO, EU, USCG, China MSA’s policies and regulations, designs and standards for new ship models, innovative and sustainable green ship technologies at this annual conference.

Alternative bunker fuels such as LNG, methanol and ammonia as well as fuel cell integration will be part of the important issues discussed at the event.

Speakers will be from

IMO
European Commission
U.S. Coast Guard
China MSA
Financial Institutions
Maritime Research Institutes
Solution & Technology Providers
Shipowners
Shipyards
Classification Societies

Key topics

Policies and Regulations Update and Interpretate by IMO, European Commission, U.S. Coast Guard and China MSA
Retrofitting Vessels to Achieve Decarbonization Goals
Energy Efficiency Continues to Be Key for Decarbonization
Decarbonization Through Digitalization
Digital Technologies As a Key Enabler for Emissions Reduction
Impact of a Hull Coating Upgrade on Hull Efficiency
LNG As Marine Fuel: Pivoting Towards Cleaner Shipping
Methanol As a Marine Fuel
Ammonia’s Credentials As a Green Fuel
Wind Propulsion Technology
Fuel Cell Integration: Upcoming Challenges and Opportunity
Propelling Carbon-neutral Shipping with Green Engines and Alternative Fuels
Next-generation Electric and Hybrid Marine Propulsion Technologies and Components
Latest Developments in Energy Storage Systems

Interested parties may contact:

Mr. Quin Xu
Tel: +86 21 6607 8610 -8003
Mob: +86 13564222811
Email: [email protected]

Note: The English and Chinese version of the event website can be found here and here respectively while the event registration can be found here.

Photo credit: Ridge China
Published: 15 May, 2025

Bunker Fuel

TFG Marine to launch bunker fuel supply operations in Jamaica on 1 June

Firm will commence marine fuel supply operations at Port of Kingston and on north coast of Jamaica, with Scott Petroleum, a local supplier with insight into Caribbean bunker market.

Published

24 hours ago

May 15, 2025

Admin

TFG Marine to launch bunker fuel supply operations in Jamaica from 1 June

Global marine fuel supply and procurement firm TFG Marine on Wednesday (14 May) said it will launch its bunkering service in Jamaica with its local partner, Scott Petroleum.

The marine fuel supply operations will commence at the Port of Kingston as well as on the north coast of Jamaica, from 1 June.

“The operation is being launched in partnership with Scott Petroleum, a trusted local supplier with over two decades of experience and unmatched insight into the Caribbean bunker market,” it said in a social media post.

Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO) and Low Sulphur Marine Gas Oil (LSMGO) fuels will be sourced locally from the Petrojam Limited-operated Kingston refinery and will be supplied via the bunker barge operated by Scott Petroleum.

“By combining Scott Petroleum’s local insight with TFG Marine’s global expertise and commitment to innovation, this new venture aims to set a new benchmark for marine fuel supply in the region, delivering reliable, efficient and transparent bunkering services to vessels calling at this key Caribbean port,” the company said.

Kenneth Dam, Head of Bunkering at TFG Marine, said: “We’re very happy to be setting up in Jamaica,” It’s a strategic location with strong demand and teaming up with Scott Petroleum means that we can hit the ground running with an existing reliable, well-run operation.

“We’re looking forward to bringing TFG Marine’s global expertise and fuel supply innovation to the Caribbean, and to raising the standard of service for marine fuel customers across the region.”

Gary Scott, CEO at Scott Petroleum, said: “We are excited about our partnership with TFG Marine. The new venture will form a strong force to expand the bunker service being offered in Jamaica and will be able to capture other opportunities that exist in the region”

Note: For inquiries regarding TFG Marine’s new vessel supply services in the region in collaboration with Scott Petroleum, contact [email protected] or [email protected].

Photo credit: TFG Marine
Published: 15 May, 2025