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ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

ARA fuel oil stocks grew with UK imports in March; rough weather disrupts Gibraltar Strait bunkering; availability normal in Durban and Algoa Bay.

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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:

5 April 2023 

  • ARA fuel oil stocks grew with UK imports in March
  • Rough weather disrupts Gibraltar Strait bunkering
  • Availability normal in Durban and Algoa Bay

 

Northwest Europe

Fixing prompt VLSFO and LSMGO stems can be difficult in Rotterdam and in the wider ARA hub as delivery capacity is still under pressure with several suppliers there, sources say. Recommended lead times for the two grades in Rotterdam are around 3-5 days.

HSFO availability is slightly better than last week in the region, but prompt supply remains subject to enquiries, sources say. Lead times of up to four days are advised for the grade.

In Belgium’s Ghent, prompt supply of LSMGO is said to be tight. Two suppliers have been running low on stocks this week, a source says.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks averaged 9% higher in March than in February as importers pulled large volumes from the UK and other places to substitute banned Russian product.

The UK emerged as the top source for the ARA’s fuel oil imports in March, going by the Vortexa data. Fuel oil imports from the UK accounted for 13% of the region’s total imports. Other sources of fuel oil imports were Saudi Arabia (12%), Poland (10%), Germany (9%) and Denmark (8%).

The ARA's gasoil inventories averaged nearly 1% lower in March than in February. France became the ARA's top gasoil import source in March and accounted for 27% of its total. Other sources of gasoil imports were the UK (20%), Brazil (8%), Norway (6%) and Spain (5%).

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be tight for prompt delivery off Skaw, requiring lead times of up to seven days, a source says. Delivery prospects for HSFO are subject to enquiries, the source adds.

 

Mediterranean

Rough weather conditions have disrupted bunkering in key Gibraltar Strait ports this week. Strong winds and swells forced a bunker suspension in Gibraltar and at Algeciras’ outer anchorage on Wednesday, according to port agent MH Bland says.

Algeciras’ more sheltered inner anchorage was open for bunker operations on Wednesday “but with minimum inbound movements” of vessels, MH Bland says.

Bunkering was also suspended at anchorage in Ceuta, where four vessels were scheduled to arrive for bunkers on Wednesday.

The weather is forecast to remain bad in Algeciras, Ceuta and Gibraltar until Friday, which could cause bunker delays, depending on the intensity and direction of waves and swells.

Bunker deliveries have been suspended at Las Palmas’ outer anchorage since Tuesday. Deliveries at the port’s more sheltered inner anchorage have also been halted since Tuesday on instruction from the harbour master, MH Bland said.

While bunkering remains halted in Las Palmas, bunker calls could be diverted to the nearby port of Tenerife, where moderate weather conditions are expected this week.

Bunker fuels availability is said to be normal in Gibraltar, Algeciras and Ceuta, but deliveries will remain subject to weather conditions, sources say. Two suppliers can offer deliveries for prompt dates, a source says.

Meanwhile, continued spells of rough weather in Gibraltar Strait ports could divert more vessels to the Portuguese ports of Lisbon and Sines for bunker-only calls. LSMGO and VLSFO availability is normal in Lisbon and Sines, a source says.

Fuel supply is also normal off Malta, but pressure on delivery barge schedules has tightened prompt availability, a source says.

Bunker supply of all grades is normal in the Greek port of Piraeus, a source says.

 

Africa

Supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal in Durban and Algoa Bay. Lead times of up to seven days are advised for deliveries in these two locations, a source says.

However, supply of VLSFO is said to be tight in Cape Town, where securing deliveries for prompt dates can be difficult, a source says.

Bunkering resumed in Algoa Bay on Tuesday after being suspended for a day due to bad weather, according to Rennies Ships Agency. Weather conditions are forecast to remain conducive until Friday morning. However, strong winds and swells are forecast to hit the bay in periods between Friday and Sunday, which could complicate deliveries there. Eight vessels are due to arrive for bunkers in Port Elizabeth and Algoa Bay this week, Rennies says.

By Shilpa Sharma

 

Photo credit and souce: ENGINE
Published: 6 April, 2023

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Bunker Fuel

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 9.1% on year in January 2025

4.46 million mt of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in January, a drop from 4.91 million mt recorded during the similar month in 2024, according to MPA data.

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Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 9.1% on year in January 2025

Sales of marine fuel at Singapore port decreased by 9.1% on year in January 2025, according to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) data.

In total, 4.46 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,461,710 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in January, a drop from 4.91 million mt (4,906,100 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2024.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in January (against on year) recorded respectively 1.66 million mt (zero from 1.66 million mt), 2.43 million mt (-15% from 2.86 million mt), 900 (+100% from zero), 3,100 mt (-77% from 13,500 mt) and zero (from zero).

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 9.1% on year in January 2025

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in January (against on year) recorded respectively 16,000 (+100% from zero), 92,000 mt (+103% from 45,300 mt), zero (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from zero).

LNG and methanol sales were posted respectively at 6,600 mt (-36.5% from 10,400) and zero (from zero).

A complete series of articles on Singapore bunker volumes by Manifold Times in 2024 can be found below:

Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 5.2% on year in December 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales gain by 4.6% on year in November 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales gain by 10.8% on year in October 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales continue to increase by 2.8% on year in September 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 7.2% on year in August 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales up by 3.3% on year in July 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales gain 8.7% in June 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 6.7% in May 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 0.6% on year in April 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 6.4% on year in March 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales up by 18.8% on year in February 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales up by 12.1% on year in January 2024

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 14 February, 2025

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Bunker Fuel

Singapore-based Straits Bio-LNG aims to deliver 250,000 mt of bio-LNG bunker fuel per year

Firm is currently in advanced stage of testing breaking down Empty Fruit Bunch through an established biological process with high enzyme concentration in its R&D facility in Malaysia to produce bio-LNG.

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Singapore-based Straits Bio-LNG aims to deliver 250,000 mt of bio-LNG bunker fuel per year

Straits Bio-LNG, a privately owned supplier of bio-LNG, is aiming to deliver 250,000 metric tonnes (mt) of bio-LNG per year in Singapore, according to SEA-LNG on Thursday (13 February).

The Singapore-based company, led by SK Tan as CEO, is doing so in response to the growing demand for LNG. LNG bunkering volumes have grown significantly in key bunkering hubs as more LNG-fuelled vessels have entered into operation. 

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) saw a dramatic four-fold increase in 2024 to almost 340,000 mt, SEA-LNG said in a statement announcing Straits Bio-LNG joining the coalition. 

Headquartered in Singapore, the company boasts a growing team led by SK Tan as CEO.  

Yiyong He, Director at Straits Bio-LNG, said: “We’re firmly convinced in the viability of the LNG pathway to decarbonise the shipping industry. With its very low carbon intensity and improving commerciality, liquified biomethane will be a critical piece of the puzzle for decarbonising the sector.”

“By joining SEA-LNG, we’re proud to be part of a collection of first movers making real strides to make the LNG pathway a tangible reality today.”

Straits Bio-LNG aims to reach its bio-LNG supply goal by using pioneering methods. It is currently in the advanced stage of testing breaking down Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) through an established biological process with high enzyme concentration in its R&D facility in Malaysia. 

Both Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) and EFB are sustainable biomass resources listed in the “List of Materials Eligible for ISCC EU Certification” and are therefore compliant with the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED).

Peter Keller, chairman of SEA-LNG, added: “The Port of Singapore is the largest global bunkering hub. As seen in our View from the Bridge report, 2024 saw record growth in LNG and liquified biomethane bunkering, but we need more fuel to meet upcoming demand.”

“The use of liquefied biomethane as a marine fuel can reduce GHG emissions by up to 80% compared to marine diesel on a full well-to-wake basis. When produced from the anaerobic digestion of waste materials, such as manure, POME or EFB, methane that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere is captured, resulting in negative emissions of up to -190% compared with diesel."

An independent study by the Maritime Energy and Sustainable Development Centre of Excellence at Nanyang Technical University in Singapore found that pure bio-LNG could cover up to 13% of the total energy demand for shipping fuels in 2050, rising to 63% for a 20% blending ratio. 

SEA-LNG added MPA has firmly established itself as a leader in the LNG pathway, with suppliers such as Straits Bio-LNG reinforcing this position. 

Recently, the port launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) to explore scalable solutions for sea-based LNG reloading to complement the existing onshore LNG bunkering storage and jetty capacities and the supply of e/bio-methane as marine fuel in the Port of Singapore.

“Straits Bio-LNG will play a critical role in furthering the expansion of liquified biomethane at scale to meet the demand and continuing to showcase the LNG pathway as a practical and realistic solution for shipowners to decarbonise their operations, starting today,” it said. 

Related: Singapore: MPA launches EOI to expand LNG bunkering services amid growing demand

 

Photo credit: Straits Bio-LNG
Published: 14 February, 2025

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Winding up

Singapore: Final meetings scheduled for Gagarmayang Maritime and related companies

Other companies involved are Pramoni Maritime Pte Ltd, Wulansari Maritime Pte Ltd, Anjasmoro Maritime Pte Ltd and Indradi Maritime Pte Ltd.

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The final meetings of members of Gagarmayang Maritime Pte Ltd and related companies, has been scheduled to take place on 12 March, according to the company’s liquidators on a notice posted on Wednesday (12 February) on the Government Gazette.

The other companies involved in the matter are Pramoni Maritime Pte Ltd, Wulansari Maritime Pte Ltd, Anjasmoro Maritime Pte Ltd and Indradi Maritime Pte Ltd.

The meetings will be held by way of electronic means at 11am for the purpose of having an account laid before the members showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and the property of the company disposed of and of hearing any explanation that may be given by the liquidators.

The details of the liquidators are as follows:

Hamish Alexander Christie
c/o H.A. Christie & Co
20 Collyer Quay, #11-05
Singapore 049319

Related: Singapore: Wulansari Maritime Pte Ltd and related companies to be wound up voluntarily
Related: Creditors meeting for Anjasmoro Maritime and affiliated sister firms to be held in Oct

 

Photo credit: Benjamin-child
Published: 14 February, 2025

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