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ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

ARA gasoil stocks grow to one-year highs ahead of sanctions; bunkering normal in most Gibraltar Strait ports; fuel supply 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:

1 February 2023

  • ARA gasoil stocks grow to one-year highs ahead of sanctions
  • Bunkering normal in most Gibraltar Strait ports
  • Fuel supply normal in South African ports

 

Northwest Europe

Supply of LSMGO is normal in Rotterdam and in the wider ARA bunkering hub. Securing prompt deliveries of VLSFO and HSFO can be slightly difficult there, but some suppliers can deliver for prompt dates depending on the quantity, a source says.

Recommended lead times for LSMGO delivery in Rotterdam are around three days, sources say. VLSFO requires lead times of around 4-5 days and a period of six days for HSFO.

The ARA’s independently held gasoil stocks have risen to one-year highs this month as importers in the region have pulled large volumes from Russia ahead of the EU’s ban on imports of refined Russian oil products. The inventories have averaged 17% higher so far this month than in December, according to Insights Global data.

Russia remains the top source for gasoil imports in the ARA with 38% of the total, according to cargo tracker Vortexa.

The ARA’s independent fuel oil stocks have also averaged 6% higher so far this month than in December and have risen slightly above their five-year average position for the year, Insights Global data shows.

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. Unlike the crude oil ban, which has a 45-day wind-down period for oil purchased above a $60/bbl price cap, there is no wind-down period for refined oil product imports, a spokesperson from the European Commission has confirmed to ENGINE.

This means that European importers will have to have to look for alternative, non-Russian sources of gasoil, diesel and fuel oil imports in just four days.

In Germany’s Hamburg, supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal, while HSFO delivery prospects remain subject to enquiry, a source says.

Bunker fuels supply remains normal-to-tight for prompt dates off Skaw, requiring lead times of up to seven days, a source says. Securing HSFO deliveries for prompt dates can be difficult there, the source adds.

Bunker fuel supply is currently said to be normal across French ports. Recent refinery worker strikes in France have not had major impacts on bunker fuel availability and deliveries, according to sources.

Workers all over France are protesting the government’s plans to reform the country’s retirement system, including bumping up the retirement age from 62 to 64. A nation-wide strike was carried out in France on Tuesday.

Availability of VLSFO is normal in the UK’s port of Southampton, a source says.

 

Mediterranean

Prompt supply of LSMGO is said to be normal in Gibraltar. But securing large volumes of VLSFO and HSFO for prompt dates can be slightly difficult there, sources say.

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

Bunkering is moving ahead as normal in most ports in the Gibraltar Strait. Bunker operations at anchorages resumed in Algeciras and Ceuta on Wednesday after being disrupted earlier this week due to bad weather.

Wind speed reduced to a moderate level of 12-14 knots in Algeciras on Wednesday, from more than 22 knots on Tuesday, and suppliers were delivering stems at the port’s outer anchorage, according to port agent MH Bland.

In Ceuta, favourable weather conditions have allowed suppliers to offer bunker deliveries at anchorage on Wednesday. Suppliers were working to clear bunker backlogs in Ceuta, according to shipping agent Jose Salama & Co.

One vessel was waiting to bunker at anchorage in Ceuta on Wednesday, down from five on Tuesday. Eleven more vessels were due to arrive for bunkers in Ceuta on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, bad weather has kept bunkering limited in Las Palmas. Even as the outer anchorage is technically open for bunker operations, suppliers are not delivering stems there due to weather-related risks, according to MH Bland.

Bunker deliveries via ex-pipe at berth or by barge at Las Palmas’ inner anchorage are available, MH Bland says. However, the inner anchorage has a limited bunker capacity of only one vessel at a time.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal in Las Palmas and Malta, sources say.

Bunkering is progressing normally in Malta’s ports and offshore areas. No congestion has been reported in Malta this week, according to Seatrans Shipping agency.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal in the Greek port of Piraeus, while HSFO is tight for prompt dates, a source says.

 

Africa

Bad weather has complicated bunker deliveries in Algoa Bay this week. Strong winds of up to 30 knots hit the bay on Wednesday, disrupting smooth bunker deliveries there, according to sources.

Bunker operations were kept on standby in Algoa Bay on Tuesday. Operations resumed for a short period on Wednesday morning, but were halted again in the evening, the source says. Calmer weather is forecast on Thursday, which might help suppliers to deliver stems and clear backlogs in Algoa Bay, the source adds.

Bunker fuel supply is said to be normal in Algoa Bay, but deliveries remain subject to weather conditions.

Supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is also normal in Durban, with recommended lead times of around seven days.

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

By Shilpa Sharma

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 2 February, 2023

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Emissions reporting

ZeroNorth and Veracity by DNV launch end-to-end emissions reporting, verification service

New offering combines ZeroNorth’s Vessel Reporting and Emissions Analytics platform with Veracity platform and DNV’s Emissions Connect verification services to deliver an end-to-end compliance solution.

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ZeroNorth and Veracity by DNV launch end-to-end emissions reporting, verification service

Maritime technology solutions provider ZeroNorth on Friday (16 May) said it has partnered with Veracity by DNV to launch a fully integrated emissions reporting and verification service for the maritime industry. 

Teekay is the first customer that will be implementing the service across its fleet, following successful testing and development.

As regulatory requirements tighten, ZeroNorth said maritime operators face growing demands for emissions transparency and reporting integrity. At the same time, poor data quality remains an industry-wide challenge. 

“The new offering combines ZeroNorth’s Vessel Reporting and Emissions Analytics platform with the Veracity platform and DNV’s Emissions Connect verification services to deliver an end-to-end compliance solution,” the company said in a statement. 

“The offering simplifies compliance by integrating automated data reporting with expert validation, reducing administrative burdens and improving data reliability.”

A key differentiator is the multi-layered data quality feedback loop, which ensures emissions data undergoes rigorous validation at multiple stages. Verification warnings from Veracity by DNV are automatically flagged to ZeroNorth’s data quality team, which then works directly with vessel crews to resolve discrepancies before final submission to authorities. 

This reduces compliance risks and enhances regulatory confidence while supporting continuous monitoring of EU MRV, IMO DCS, CII ratings, EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime compliance.

Teekay, a long-standing customer of ZeroNorth, participated in early testing of the solution and providing operational feedback. Since its successful implementation with Teekay, the service has been rolled out to two additional customers, and further deployments are underway.

Anders Schulze, Chief Operations Officer at ZeroNorth, said: “The maritime industry faces growing pressure to ensure emissions data is not just reported, but verified to the highest standards. Yet fragmented systems and manual processes continue to undermine data quality and increase compliance risk. 

“By combining ZeroNorth’s data and analytics capabilities with Veracity by DNV’s verification expertise, we are directly addressing this challenge. Our goal is to build trust in emissions data and reduce complexity for shipowners and charterers. We’re especially pleased that Teekay, a long-time partner, played a central role in shaping and validating the service.”

Mikkel Skou, Managing Director at Veracity by DNV, said: “At Veracity by DNV, the value of our ecosystem is built on strong partnerships, exemplified by our collaboration with ZeroNorth.

“By integrating trusted data and solutions like ZeroNorth’s Vessel Reporting and Emissions Analytics platform, we create a robust network that supports collaboration and drives sustainable growth in the maritime industry. 

“We look forward to continuing working towards our ambition to deliver trust and connectivity to the industry through this partnership with ZeroNorth.”

Mikkel Seidelin, Chief Commercial Officer at Teekay, said: “Partnering with ZeroNorth improves our ability to navigate complexities seamlessly, leveraging on data and technology to optimise our performance and reduce inefficiencies.

“When we are equipped with verified, end-to-end data, it empowers us as owners towards seamless decision-making, resulting in real sustainable and operational target-achievements.”

 

Photo credit: ZeroNorth
Published: 16 May, 2025

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LNG Bunkering

Singapore: FueLNG achieves 400th LNG bunkering operation milestone

Bunker tanker “FueLNG Bellina” successfully delivered LNG bunker fuel to “BYD Shenzhen”, the world’s largest LNG-fuelled car carrier at Singapore anchorage during its maiden voyage.

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Singapore: FueLNG achieves 400th LNG bunkering operation milestone

Singapore’s licensed LNG bunker supplier FueLNG on Thursday (15 May) announced the successful completion of its 400th LNG ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering operation in the republic.

FueLNG, a joint venture between Keppel Offshore & Marine and Shell Eastern Petroleum Pte Ltd, marked the milestone with bunker tanker FueLNG Bellina successfully refuelling BYD Shenzhen, the world’s largest LNG-fuelled car carrier, at Singapore anchorage during its maiden voyage.

“With a capacity of 9,200 vehicles and equipped with dual-fuel LNG propulsion, the BYD SHENZHEN represents the next generation of low-emission maritime transport,” it said in a social media post. 

Shell said it supported BYD Shenzhen on its maiden voyage as the supplier of the LNG bunker fuel. 

“Like all LNG dual fuel vessels, BYD Shenzhen is on the pathway to net zero emissions. She can take bio-LNG, and in the future e-LNG, in her fuel mix for further emission reduction and regulatory compliance,” it said in a separate social media post. 

 

Photo credit: Shell
Published: 16 May, 2025

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Biofuel

Hong Kong: CPN hits new record for China’s largest B24 biofuel bunkering operation

Chimbusco Pan Nation delivered 6,300 mt of B24-VLSFO in Hong Kong to boxship “XIN LOS ANGELES” on 15 May, exceeding its previous record of 5,500 mt delivered in February 2025.

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Hong Kong: CPN hits new record for China's largest B24 biofuel bunkering operation

Hong Kong-based bunker supplier Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical (CPN) on Friday (16 May) said it has set a record for China’s largest B24 marine biofuel bunkering operation.

CPN said it delivered 6,300 metric tonnes (mt) of B24-VLSFO in Hong Kong to container ship XIN LOS ANGELES on 15 May. 

The supply exceeded CPN’s previous record of 5,500 mt delivered to the same ship in February 2025.

“This collaboration reinforces CPN’s ability to execute large-scale marine biofuel bunkering with precision and reliability,” the company said in a social media post.

“By consistently supplying large volumes of B24 marine biofuel, CPN supports reduced carbon emissions and sustainable shipping practices globally.”

Related: CPN achieves largest B24 bio bunker fuel delivery in Hong Kong and China

 

Photo credit: Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical
Published: 16 May, 2025

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