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ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Rotterdam’s Hi5 spread shrinks to just $37/mt; HSFO prices in Gibraltar at regional discounts; VLSFO and LSMGO tight in Maputo.

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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:

9 August 2023

  • Rotterdam’s Hi5 spread shrinks to just $37/mt
  • HSFO prices in Gibraltar at regional discounts
  • VLSFO and LSMGO tight in Maputo

 

Northwest Europe

Prompt HSFO supply remains very tight in Rotterdam and in the wider ARA hub. A lead time of seven days is recommended to ensure full coverage from suppliers there, a source says. But some have urged bunker buyers to consider longer lead times when looking to book HSFO stems.

Securing prompt HSFO stems of large quantities is even more difficult now, a trader says. Some suppliers are committed to supply HSFO to meet existing contract obligations, which means less volume is available for spot demand there, another source argues.

The supply tightness of the grade is likely to continue throughout this month, the trader adds. Tighter availability of HSFO also contributed to shrink Rotterdam’s Hi5 spread to just $37/mt on Wednesday. The port’s Hi5 spread has been lingering close to $50/mt levels since June, which is much narrower than Gibraltar’s $80/mt.

Prompt availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is generally better in the ARA hub, but some claim that LSMGO supply has tightened a bit, partly as big suppliers are holding back on offers.

However, another source maintains that the LSMGO supply is normal there. Some suppliers tend to hold back on offers not due to lack of supply, but because they seek to pick and choose the best bids in the market, the source explains. A lead time of 4-5 days is recommended for VLSFO, and 3-5 days for LSMGO.

Overall demand in the ARA hub has been slow so far this week.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains normal for delivery off Skaw, while HSFO is relatively tighter, a source says. Recommended lead times for all grades remain unchanged at 7-10 days.

 

Mediterranean

Bunker operations at Gibraltar’s Western anchorage resumed last Saturday, after having been suspended for nearly four days because of an oil spill incident in the bay. The oil spill occurred on 1 August, when the LPG tanker vessel Gas Venus received bunkers from the bunker vessel Hercules 500 and saw its fuel tanks overflow, maritime analytics provider Marine Traffic said.

The bunker suspension led to an increase in congestion in Gibraltar last week, but these backlogs were quickly cleared after bunkering was allowed to resume. Some vessels were also diverted to bunker in nearby alternative locations such as Ceuta and Algeciras, a source says. Minimum congestion was reported in Gibraltar, Algeciras and Ceuta on Wednesday, port agent MH Bland said.

HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is now said to be normal across Gibraltar Strait ports. A lead time of 4-6 days is recommended for VLSFO and LSMGO, a source says. Some can even supply the grades on prompter delivery dates.

Ample HSFO supply in Gibraltar has kept a lid on its benchmark price, which was around $20/mt lower than Rotterdam’s on Wednesday. Recommended lead times are also slightly shorter at 5-6 days in Gibraltar.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is good in the Portuguese ports of Lisbon and Sines. Gibraltar’s bunker disruption last week did not result in any substantial rise in bunker-only calls in Portuguese ports, a source says.

In Italy’s Genoa, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal, but prompt deliveries are still subject to enquiry, a source says.

Other bunker delivery areas in the Mediterranean such as Piraeus and off Malta have good availability of VLSFO and LSMGO. All grades are also readily available for prompt delivery dates in Turkey’s Istanbul.

 

Africa

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in the South African ports of Durban and Cape Town, and at the Algoa Bay anchorage by Port Elizabeth, where lead times of up to seven days are still recommended, a source says.

HSFO is out of stock in Mozambique’s Nacala. A supplier is working to replenish its stocks, but has not given a timeline for when it expects to have more HSFO to offer. Meanwhile, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is good in Nacala.

In Maputo, VLSFO and LSMGO availability has tightened for prompt delivery dates this week.

By Nithin Chandran

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 10 August, 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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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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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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