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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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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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July 22, 2026

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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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July 22, 2026

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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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