Connect with us

Bunker Fuel

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (4 March 2026)

Buyers see high premiums due to Middle East conflict; bad weather disrupts Gibraltar traffic; African hubs to see more demand from re-routing ships.
Admin

Published

5 months ago

on

RESIZED ENGINE Europe and Africa

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:

  • Buyers see high premiums due to Middle East conflict
  • Bad weather disrupts Gibraltar traffic
  • African hubs to see more demand from re-routing ships

Northwest Europe

Prices across European and African ports have surged this week after Brent crude climbed, following the outbreak of a regional conflict in the Middle East.

The ARA bunkering hub is also seeing sharp premiums, with VLSFO trading at around $559/mt. Some sources have indicated lead times ranging anywhere between 5-15 days.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have declined by 7% in February, according to Insights Global data. At 6.47 million bbls, the region’s fuel oil stocks are at their lowest average since October 2025.

The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have increased by 6% this month, compared to January.

Fuel availability is tight in Sweden’s Gothenburg and off Denmark’s Skaw, and buyers are advised to book with a notice of at least 10 days at both locations, a trader told ENGINE.

Mediterranean

Inbound traffic has been suspended at Gibraltar due to rough weather, port agent MH Bland said. The port is seeing congestion with around 32 vessels currently awaiting bunkers which could lead to backlogs once operations resume, the port agent added.

Around 40 vessels are expected to call at the Mediterranean port for bunkers between 4-11 March, according to shipping agent A Mateos & Sons.  

In neighbouring Algeciras, all anchorage areas are operative, but bunker barges request supplies to be carried out at the inner anchorage due to the weather, MH Bland said.

All anchorage operations are suspended in Ceuta, while supplies can be carried out ex-pipe subject to pilot’s approval, MH Bland added.

Weather is expected to improve this week, but suppliers are indicating higher lead times due to expected backlogs and market volatility.  

At the Canary Islands’ bunkering hub of Las Palmas, availability of all fuel grades is very tight, a trader told ENGINE. One supplier is booked until at least 9 March, the trader added.

Rough weather has caused the cancellation of all operations at Las Palmas’ outer anchorages, according to MH Bland. Supplies can be carried out in the berth and in the inner anchorage, but with delays.

Off Malta, bunker availability is stable, but premiums are high, a trader said. Buyers are recommended lead times of around 2-6 days, the trader said.

In Piraeus, fuel availability is moderate for VLSFO, a source said.

Fuel availability is normal in Turkey’s Istanbul for VLSFO, LSMGO and ULSFO, a supplier said.

Africa

African ports, including Durban and Port Louis, are expected to see increased demand in the coming weeks, as ships re-route from the Red Sea due to the conflict, a trader said.

One supplier in Nigeria’s Lagos said they can supply LSMGO and VLSFO with a lead time of around 7-10 days.  

VLSFO availability is tight in the Angola’s Luanda anchorage, while LSMGO is available more readily, a supplier said.

HSFO supply remains tight off Walvis Bay, a source said.

By Nachiket Tekawade

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 5 March, 2026

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

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.

Admin

Published

15 hours ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

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

Continue Reading

LNG Bunkering

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure.
Admin

Published

15 hours ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) recently signed a contract with Sinopec (Beijing) Clean Energy Co., Ltd. to build a 12,000-cubic metre (m3) LNG bunkering vessel, according to Chinese maritime media.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will support Sinopec’s efforts to expand its presence in the marine clean energy sector.

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s LNG bunkering infrastructure.

With this signing , CIMC Pacific Offshore Engineering’s LNG bunkering vessel orderbook is further strengthened, maintaining its leading position in the global market for small and medium-sized LNG bunkering vessels.

The contract also marked another milestone for CIMC SOE, which has seen a sharp increase in orders and business performance this year amid a surge in domestic LNG vessel demand.

 

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Nuclear

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

KRISO says AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.
Admin

Published

15 hours ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO) on Thursday (16 July) received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its concept design of a 15,000 TEU Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-powered container ship utilising Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology.

KRISO said the AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.

“This achievement demonstrates international recognition of KRISO’s technological capabilities in the rapidly evolving field of nuclear-powered shipping, supporting the transition toward low-carbon maritime transport,” it said. 

Building on this milestone, KRISO will continue advancing basic and detailed ship design, paving the way for future demonstration and commercialisation of SMR-powered vessels. 

Through continued R&D and international collaboration, KRISO remains committed to strengthening next-generation maritime technologies and contributing to the safe deployment of nuclear propulsion in the maritime industry.

 

Photo credit: Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Trending