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ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

ARA gasoil stocks rise on Middle East and Asian inflows; bunkering resumes in Gibraltar Strait ports; prompt VLSFO tight amid strong demand in Nacala.

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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:

22 February 2023

  • ARA gasoil stocks rise on Middle East and Asian inflows
  • Bunkering resumes in Gibraltar Strait ports
  • Prompt VLSFO tight amid strong demand in Nacala

 

Northwest Europe

LSMGO availability has improved since last week in the ARA bunkering hub. Some suppliers are now offering deliveries for prompt dates, sources say.

Meanwhile, prompt availability of VLSFO and HSFO is still tight in the region, they say. Lead times of 4-5 days are advised for VLSFO delivery in Rotterdam, while HSFO requires around 5-6 days. HSFO delivery prospects in the region are subject to enquiries, a source says.

The ARA’s independently held gasoil stocks – which include diesel and heating oil – have averaged 15% higher so far this month than in January as importers have pulled large volumes from the Middle East and Asian countries to substitute banned Russian products.

The region’s gasoil inventories have risen to their highest level in the past year and are above their five-year average position for this time of year, according to Insights Global data.

The EU’s ban on imports of refined Russian oil products kicked in from 5 February, and Vortexa has not picked up any Russian gasoil cargo inflows into the ARA so far this month.

Saudi Arabia has been the top source for ARA’s gasoil and diesel imports since last month, Vortexa data shows. Gasoil and diesel imports from Saudi Arabia have accounted for nearly a quarter of the ARA’s total between January and this month, up from a 4% share in December.

India has replaced Russia to emerge as the ARA’s second biggest source of gasoil imports with 17% of the total this month, followed by China (16%), South Korea (9%) and Singapore (7%).

The ARA’s independent fuel oil stocks have averaged 3% lower so far this month than in January and have remained below their five-year average position for the year. No Russian fuel oil cargo imports to the ARA have been picked up by Vortexa since January. This suggests that Russian fuel oil imports were phased out in January, after making up 10% of the ARA’s total in December.

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

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

 

Mediterranean

Prompt supply is tight in Gibraltar Strait ports this week as most suppliers are busy clearing backlogs after weather disruptions last week, sources say. Bunkering resumed with better weather this week.

In Gibraltar, the backlog of vessels waiting to bunker had come down to eight on Wednesday morning, from 20 on Monday, according to port agent MH Bland. Congestion was reported in Algeciras as well, where eight vessels were waiting to bunker, MH Bland says. All three suppliers in Algeciras were running behind schedule on Wednesday, it said.

Bunkering at anchorage in Ceuta resumed on Monday after being suspended last week due to rough weather. One bunker supplier has a busy delivery barge schedule this week, a source says.

Bunker fuels availability is said to be tight Ceuta and Malta. Most suppliers in these locations are not fixing new stems until the end of this week, a source says.

Securing prompt deliveries will also be difficult in the Greek port of Piraeus this week. This could be because strong congestion in key Gibraltar Strait ports has diverted bunker calls to Piraeus, a source says.

Bunkering has been in progress in Las Palmas this week amid conducive weather. VLSFO supply is said to be normal there, a source says.

Bunker operations have been suspended in Turkey’s Port of Iskenderun since 6 February after a deadly earthquake hit Turkey and Syria, according to sources. Iskenderun’s port infrastructure suffered a severe damage from the earthquake, which was followed by a major fire incident.

Iskenderun has since been used to receive shipments of food, medical supplies, vehicles and construction machines to carry out rehabilitation work in nearby cities.

It might take weeks or months for Iskenderun to resume bunkering and other port operations, a source says. Meanwhile, bunkering is progressing as normal in Istanbul, a source says.

 

Africa

Bunkering resumed in Algoa Bay on Wednesday morning after being suspended by rough weather on Tuesday, according to Rennies Ships Agency. Swells came down to around 3 metres in Algoa Bay on Wednesday, from 5 metres on Tuesday, which allowed suppliers to resume bunker deliveries there.

17 vessels are scheduled to arrive for bunkers in Port Elizabeth and Algoa Bay this week, Rennies says. Conducive weather conditions are forecast to prevail through this week.

Bunker fuel availability is said to be normal in Algoa Bay and normal-to-tight in Durban. Recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries in Durban are around seven days, a source says.

Meanwhile, supply of the two products is said to be currently tight in Cape Town. Recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries in Cape Town are around 10 days, a source says.

Prompt supply of VLSFO is tight in in Mozambique’s Nacala port amid strong demand, while LSMGO availability is normal there, a source says.

Supply of the two grades is said to be normal in Mozambique’s capital port city of Maputo.

Bunker deliveries are going ahead as normal across the two ports in Mozambique, where a total of six vessels are due to arrive for bunkers this week, down from 10 last week.

By Shilpa Sharma

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 23 February, 2023

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Milestone

China: Xiamen port records 16.37% jump in bunker sales volume in 1H2025

Total of 416 international ships, an increase of 6.12% on year, received marine fuel in bunkering operations during the same period.

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Xiamen port bunkering

The Port of Xiamen recorded bonded bunkering volume of 274,500 metric tonnes (mt) in the first half (1H) of 2025, representing a jump of 16.37% on year, reported Xiamen Daily on Thursday (10 July).

A total 416 international ships, an increase of 6.12% on year, received marine fuel in bunkering operations during the same period.

The report noted Xiamen Port to be increasing bunker players while optimising its bonded marine fuel supply chain system in recent years.

Before February 2025, there were only two bonded bunker fuel suppliers with national licenses operating at Xiamen Port.

The port welcomed Xiamen Kunlun Fuel Oil [厦门昆仑燃料油] as a new marine fuel supplier on 1 February; the company was awarded the first Xiamen local license by both Xiamen Customs and the local government.

Followingly, Xiamen Kunlun Fuel Oil performed its first bonded bunkering operation at Xiamen port on 26 February.

Xiamen Port earlier launched a pilot programme called “two warehouse functions superposition” which combines the functions of both bonded oil storage warehouse and export supervision warehouse into one unit.

Using just a single oil storage tank allows bunker fuel suppliers at Xiamen to save on renting tanks, reduce time spent on tank unloading, improve utilisation rates, and shorten bunker delivery times.

Related: PetroChina subsidiary wins first bonded bunkering licence in Xiamen

 

Photo credit: Xiamen Port Authority, China
Published: 11 July 2025

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Newbuilding

China: Steel cutting ceremony for methanol bunkering tanker “Lucia Cosulich” held

A steel cutting ceremony was held for the 7,999 DWT IMO Type 2 chemical bunker tanker at Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipyard, China.

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Lucia Cosulich

Fratelli Cosulich Marine Energy on Wednesday (9 July) announced the steel cutting ceremony of Lucia Cosulich, a 7,999 DWT IMO Type 2 chemical bunker tanker – the second vessel in a series of four – at Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipyard, China.

“This milestone marks another bold step in our Marine Energy business unit’s commitment to clean fuel readiness and operational excellence,” said the company.

The vessel will be fully methanol-ready, capable of carrying, burning, and bunkering methanol safely and efficiently, with full regulatory compliance standards.

It will feature an integrated Nitrogen Generator System, ensuring safe and inert tank operations at all times. Equipped with advanced safety systems specifically engineered for low-flashpoint fuel handling, the vessel sets a new benchmark in future fuel readiness.

A complete methanol bunkering setup will come as standard, including the Quick Connect/Disconnect Couplings (QCDC), dedicated transfer lines and comprehensive monitoring and control systems to ensure efficient and secure fuel handling.

“Built on state-of-the-art architecture, she is designed not only to meet but to exceed the evolving demands of tomorrow’s energy supply chain,” noted the firm.

Lucia Cosulich embodies our vision to lead the transition within the maritime fuel landscape.”

 

Photo credit: Fratelli Cosulich
Published: 11 July 2025

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Financial Result

Glander International Bunkering reports EBT of USD 22 million for FY2025

‘This fiscal year, we focused on staying close to our clients, while adapting to a fast-changing market,’ says CEO Carsten Ladekjær.

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Glander Result 2024 2025 MT

Global bunker trading and energy solutions provider Glander International Bunkering on Thursday (10 July) posted financial results for the year ended on April 30, 2025 – reflecting stable performance amid ongoing changes in global maritime and regulations.

The company reports a turnover of USD 3 billion and earnings before tax (EBT) of USD 22 million, including a non-recurring item.

“These results demonstrate consistent performance compared to the previous fiscal year, as the company continues to focus on conventional fuels, new fuels, risk management and extensive global reach,” CFO David Varghese comments.

Navigating change in maritime

Throughout the 2024-25 fiscal year, the bunker industry faced critical challenges including the escalation of the US-China trade conflict, ongoing Red Sea and Suez Canal security risks, and the first full-year impact of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) for maritime shipping.

Compliance with IMO CII measures and the uptake of new fuel products also influenced bunker demand patterns and pricing strategies.

“This fiscal year, we focused on staying close to our clients, while adapting to a fast-changing market,” says CEO Carsten Ladekjær. “In a time of uncertainty and transformation, we focused on staying agile, supporting customers with conventional fuels, and laying the groundwork for new fuel solutions.”

New fuels and other key achievements

Glander International Bunkering made significant progress in 2024-25: completing bioLNG deliveries, expanding biofuel supply, and launching a compliance calculator to help customers navigate FuelEU Maritime. Compared to the previous fiscal year, the company achieved a 71% increase in biofuel volume and 85% increase in LNG volume, along with the sale of nearly 100,000 EUAs.

Other achievements throughout the year include the renewal of its ISCC certifications, membership in the Smart Freight Centre, and Great Place to Work certification for the 7th consecutive year.

Looking ahead, Ladekjær says, “We will do what we have always done since 1961– adapt to new changes and be there for our clients.” He added that Glander International Bunkering is prepared for the next phase of change in global shipping, as decarbonisation, regulatory expansion and geopolitical developments continue to shape the bunker fuel market.

 

Photo credit: Glander International Bunkering
Published: 11 July 2025

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