Business

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

VLSFO and HSFO supply tight in the ARA; availability normal in Gibraltar; bad weather limits bunkering in Algeciras and Ceuta.

Published

2 years ago

April 20, 2023

Admin

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:

19 April 2023

VLSFO and HSFO supply tight in the ARA
Availability normal in Gibraltar
Bad weather limits bunkering in Algeciras and Ceuta

Northwest Europe

VLSFO and HSFO availability is tight in the ARA hub, partly because of product shortages in refineries. Shell’s Pernis refinery near Rotterdam is currently undergoing scheduled three-month maintenance, which is set to finish on 1 May. Around 200,000 b/d of crude distillation unit capacity has been offline.

Recommended lead times for VLSFO and HSFO are about 5-7 days. HSFO lead times can be even longer due to product loading delays at terminals. Loading delays of 2-4 days have been reported at some terminals in recent weeks, a source says.

Meanwhile, independently held fuel oil stocks in the ARA have been steady so far this month, while imports have come down from March.

Poland emerged as the top source for the ARA’s fuel oil imports in the first two weeks of this month, going by the cargo tracker Vortexa data shows. Fuel oil imports from Poland accounted for 23% of the region’s total imports. Other fuel oil import sources were Denmark (16%), Finland (14%), Mexico (13%) and Angola (10%).

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal for prompt delivery off Skaw, a source says. Delivery prospects for HSFO are still subject to enquiries, the source adds.

In Germany’s Hamburg, VLSFO and LSMGO supply is said to be normal, requiring lead times of around 5-6 days, a source says. Overall bunker demand has been slow there.

Mediterranean

VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries can be secured for prompt dates in Gibraltar, a source says. HSFO requires lead times of at least three days. Strong winds of up to 30 knots are forecast to hit Gibraltar on Wednesday evening, which could complicate deliveries. However, the weather is expected to improve from Thursday.

No congestion was reported in Gibraltar on Wednesday.

Peninsula has added a new bunker delivery vessel Hercules Sky in Gibraltar. Hercules Sky will be used to deliver conventional marine fuels stems in Gibraltar Strait ports along with biofuel blends.

Bunkering at Algeciras’ outer port limit (OPL) and outer Delta anchorage has been suspended since Monday due to rough weather conditions, port agent MH Bland says. Bunker operations at Ceuta’s anchorage have also been suspended since Monday, while deliveries at the port’s more sheltered berth area are running smoothly.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Portugal’s Lisbon and Sines, a source says. Recommended lead times are about 5-6 days.

Bunker fuel availability is normal in Malta. Some suppliers can offer deliveries for prompt dates off Malta, a source says.

No congestion was reported off Malta on Wednesday, Seatrans Shipping agency says. Eight vessels were scheduled to arrive for bunkers in and off Malta on Wednesday, Seatrans adds.

LSMGO availability is said to be normal in Greece's Piraeus port. Prompt deliveries are subject to supplier schedules, a trader says.

Africa

Supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal in Durban and Algoa Bay. However, securing prompt deliveries are still difficult and stems require lead times of up to seven days.

Bunkering is currently running smoothly in Algoa Bay. But strong winds and swells are forecast to hit the bay from Thursday, which could hamper bunker operations. Nine vessels are due to arrive for bunkers in Port Elizabeth and Algoa Bay over the course of the rest of the week, Rennies says.

Bunker operations are running smoothly in Mozambique’s Nacala and Maputo ports. Supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal in Nacala, a source says. Availability of the two grades is tight in Maputo, the source adds.

By Nithin Chandran

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 20 April, 2023

Winding up

Singapore: Liquidator of Vanda Marine Services issues notice of dividend

First and final dividend of company is payable from 23 January at Rock Stevenson Pte Ltd, 8 Burn Road, Trivex #16-12, Singapore 369977, according to Government Gazette notice.

Published

2 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Admin

A notice was published in the Government Gazette on Thursday (22 January) regarding the first and final dividend to creditors of Vanda Marine Services Pte Ltd.

The following are details of the notice of dividend of the company:

Name of Company : Vanda Marine Services Pte Ltd(In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation)

Unique Entity No. / Registration No. : 201209660C

Address of Registered Office : 8 Burn Road, Trivex #16-12, Singapore 369977

Amount per centum : 23 per centum of all admitted ordinary claims

First and Final or otherwise : First and Final

When payable : 23 January 2025 onwards

Where payable : c/o Rock Stevenson Pte Ltd, 8 Burn Road, Trivex #16-12, Singapore 369977

Manifold Times previously reported several resolutions for Vanda Marine Services, including winding up the company voluntarily, were passed during an extraordinary meeting in March last year.

Photo credit: steve pb from Pixabay
Published: 23 January, 2025

Methanol

China launches first simulation training platform for methanol bunkering operations

Through the real-life simulation, the platform helps ship operators improve their safety management and emergency response capabilities, improving the development of green shipping technologies.

Published

3 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Admin

China launched its first training platform to simulate methanol bunkering operations at Putuo District, Zhoushan on 15 January.

The Methanol Bunkering System Simulation Training Platform V1.0 was created to fill technical gaps in domestic methanol bunkering training and exercises, in light of the growing demand and popularity for methanol in the shipping industry.

Through the real-life simulation, the platform helps ship operators improve their safety management and emergency response capabilities, improving the development of green shipping technologies.

The platform was jointly developed by Zhejiang Ocean-U New Energy System Engineering and Zhejiang Ocean University.

At the press conference , Zhejiang Ocean-U New Energy System Engineering successfully signed its first purchase agreement with Seacon Ships Management (Zhejiang), making Seacon the first customer to purchase the platform service.

Wang Guofeng, chairman of Seacon, said that the platform has great potential in improving crew operating efficiency and safety, and he looks forward to deeper cooperation with Zhejiang Ocean-U New Energy System Engineering in the future.

Professor Lu Jinshu, Vice President of Zhejiang Ocean University, said they will continuously improve the platform to contribute more in the field of green shipping solutions to the industry.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 23 January, 2025

Hydrogen

Klaipėda Port launches Lithuania’s first hydrogen-powered vessel

Tanker’s power system, which will consist of two electric motors powered by 2,000 kWh batteries and a hydrogen fuel cell system, will enable it to operate for up to 36 hours without additional power charging.

Published

3 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Admin

Klaipėda Port launches Lithuania’s first hydrogen-powered vessel

Klaipėda State Seaport Authority on Wednesday (22 January) said the first ever green hydrogen and electricity-powered ship in Lithuania has been moved from shipyard into water.

Leaving no trace on the environment, it will clean other vessels entering the port, accepting waste from them.

According to the current rules, vessels are obliged to hand over the waste they produce when they arrive and before they leave Klaipėda Port. The Seaport Authority was entrusted with the collection of the waste, and the company decided to use modern and environmentally friendly equipment to further improve the quality of the ship waste collection service.

The tanker’s main function is to collect storm water, sewage, sludge and garbage, as well as to ensure efficient waste management. The ship will be equipped with special tanks and a modern rainwater treatment plant that will allow the treated water to be transferred to the city’s sewage treatment plants. The tanker will be ready to work around the clock and collect up to 400 cubic metres of liquid waste.

The tanker is 42 metres long and 10 metres wide. The ship’s power system will consist of two electric motors powered by 2,000 kWh batteries and a hydrogen fuel cell system. Depending on the intensity of the work, the tanker will be able to operate in the port of Klaipėda for up to 36 hours without additional power charging.

This ship building project with a total value of EUR 12 million (USD 12.5 million) has been commissioned by the Port Authority and is being built by West Baltic Shipyard together with Baltic Workboats under a joint operating agreement.

“We have not only launched a tanker, but also a new approach to port operations – cleaner, smarter and more environmentally friendly. This first ever hydrogen and electricity-powered ship is not only an innovative technological solution, but also an important step in strengthening Lithuania’s image as a modern maritime nation,” said Algis Latakas, Director General of Klaipėda State Seaport Authority.

“At the moment, the tanker is getting used to the seaport water, so to speak, and at the end of the year we expect it to start its important mission of taking care of the clean seaport environment. Such a decision will not leave a footprint on nature, but it will certainly leave a strong mark on our path to a greener future.”

In June last year, a symbolic keel-laying ceremony at the West Baltic Shipyard of the West Baltic Shipyard Group marked the start of the ship’s construction. To date, the hull has been fabricated and painted, with piping, valves, coolers, shaft lines, rudder feathers, heat and fire insulation installed.

Once the tanker is moved into the water, the engine room equipment will be installed, the interior of the wheelhouse will be redecorated, the electrical wiring and the main electrical engines will be installed, the hydrogen system will be installed and other work necessary for the operation of the ship will be carried out.

Photo credit: Klaipėda State Seaport Authority
Published: 23 January, 2025