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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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Bunker Fuel

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales soar by 7.5% on year in June 2025

4.59 million mt of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in June, up from 4.27 million mt recorded during the similar month in 2024, according to MPA.

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Singapore: Bunker fuel sales soar by 7.5% on year in June 2025

Sales of marine fuel at Singapore port increased by 7.5% on year in June 2025, according to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) data.

In total, 4.59 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,594,700 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in June, up from 4.27 million mt (4,274,900 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 June (against on year) recorded respectively 1.70 million mt (+8.6% from 1.56 million mt), 2.31 million mt (-7.2% from 2.33 million mt), 1,900 mt (from zero), 4,500 mt (-88% from 8,000 mt) and zero (from zero).

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales soar by 7.5% on year in June 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 June (against on year) recorded respectively 38,800 mt (+671.7% from 2,500 mt), 114,300 mt (+97.9% from 45,400 mt), zero (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from zero). B100 biofuel bunkers, introduced in February this year, recorded 1,000 mt of deliveries in June.

LNG and methanol sales were respectively 55,400 mt (-7.8% from 51,700) and zero (from zero mt). There were no recorded sales of ammonia for the month and so far in 2025.

Related: Singapore: Bunker sales volume raises to year record high of 4.88 million mt in May
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 4% on year in April 2025
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 0.5% on year in March 2025
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 8.1% on year in February 2025
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 9.1% on year in January 2025

A complete series of articles on Singapore bunker volumes reported by Manifold Times tracked since 2018 can be found via the link here.

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 15 July 2025

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Alternative Fuels

ITOCHU orders world’s first ammonia bunkering vessel for Singapore demonstration project

Company contracted Sasaki Shipbuilding to build the 5,000 m3 vessel and Izumi Steel Works to construct an ammonia tank plant that will be loaded onto the vessel, which is expected to be delivered in 2027.

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ITOCHU orders world’s first ammonia bunkering vessel for Singapore demonstration project

ITOCHU Corporation (ITOCHU) on Monday (14 July) announced that it recently signed a shipbuilding contract for the construction of a 5,000 m3 ammonia bunkering vessel with Sasaki Shipbuilding. 

The company also announced an agreement regarding the construction of an ammonia tank plant that will be loaded onto the vessel with Izumi Steel Works. 

These agreements were signed by Clean Ammonia Bunkering Shipping Pte Ltd (CABS), a wholly owned Singapore-based specific purpose company of ITOCHU. 

In relation to this, CABS has concluded a financing agreement with The Hiroshima Bank for financing a part of purchase price of the vessel.

The agreements were concluded to pursue the Demonstration Project for Bunkering Ammonia as Marine Fuel in Singapore adopted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan as part of the Global South Future-oriented Co-Creation Project (large-scale demonstration in ASEAN member states). 

Going forward, with an eye toward the demonstration of ammonia bunkering in Singapore after building the world’s first newbuilding ammonia bunkering vessel, ITOCHU said efforts will be made to facilitate concrete discussions with the maritime stakeholders, including the port authority in Singapore, the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), and the fuel producers, while obtaining support from the Japanese Government.

The vessel is to be flagged under the Singapore Registry and is expected to be delivered in September 2027.

ITOCHU will establish a safe offshore bunkering operation of ammonia as marine fuel by way of ship-to-ship transfer through the development and construction of the vessel and demonstration. 

Then, by utilising the vessel, ITOCHU will establish connection between the first movers in clean ammonia production and the first movers in the ammonia-fueled vessels and secure initial demand for ammonia as marine fuel, aiming at the commercialisation of ammonia bunkering business in Singapore and expansion of similar business model to major maritime transportation points around the world, including Spain (Strait of Gibraltar), Egypt (Suez Canal) and Japan.

 

Photo credit: ITOCHU Corporation
Published: 15 July 2025

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Business

S@S Week 2025: Singapore conducts chemical spill exercise to gear up for methanol bunkering

Exercise simulated a methanol spill from a collision involving a methanol-carrying tanker off Singapore’s southern coast, triggering a multi-agency response which included spill containment.

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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Tuesday (15 July) conducted a multi-agency chemical spill exercise to strengthen Singapore’s operational readiness, as part of the International Safety@Sea (S@S) Week. 

MPA is organising the 12th edition of the S@S Week, with this year’s event being the international edition, taking place from 15 to 18 July 2025. 

Conducted off Singapore’s southern coast, the exercise involved 11 vessels and over 150 personnel from more than 10 government agencies and industry partners. Mr Murali, Mr Dominguez and Secretary-General, International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation, Mr Francis Zachariae, observed the exercise.

The exercise simulated a methanol spill from a collision involving a methanol-carrying tanker, triggering a multi-agency response. This included coordinated efforts for spill containment and the evacuation of injured crew. A range of drone-enabled technologies was trialled during the exercise, including 3D imaging to assess vessel damage and a water curtain misting system to limit the spread of chemical plumes. An Uncrewed Surface Vehicle was also deployed to monitor air quality, reducing the need for responders to enter hazardous zones to perform such monitoring. The Maritime Digital Twin and chemical plume modelling tools were used to enhance situational awareness and support decision-making throughout the exercise.

The exercise is part of MPA’s broader preparations for methanol bunkering and provided a valuable opportunity for agencies and industry partners to better understand the safety and operational challenges, and potential solutions, in handling alternative fuels. Following an open call in March 2025, MPA has received 13 applications for methanol bunker supplier licenses, reflecting strong industry interest in supplying methanol on a commercial scale in Singapore. MPA is evaluating the applications and targets to issue the licenses in Q4 2025, which will cover the period from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030. 

Themed ‘The Future of Maritime Safety: Navigating the Next Frontier’, the annual event brings together local and international maritime experts, and the maritime community to promote awareness and facilitate discussions on maritime safety. 

Speaking at the opening today, Mr Murali Pillai, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Transport, said that the maritime sector is facing increasingly complex global challenges, including heightened geopolitical tensions, climate change, and rapid transformation in digitalisation and decarbonisation. He highlighted that we can tackle these challenges by (i) equipping our workforce for future challenges, (ii) harnessing collective expertise through close collaborations and partnerships, and (iii) drawing upon technology and innovation to augment our capabilities. 

In his keynote address, Mr Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), underscored the need for robust safety frameworks and regulations as the maritime landscape evolves. He cited Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships and new ship designs and systems using sustainable marine fuels as examples of how the maritime sector is transforming and outlined IMO’s priorities in those areas. Mr Dominguez also highlighted the importance of government-industry collaboration and initiatives like the Safety@Sea Singapore Campaign to foster a safety-first culture at sea.  

This year’s conference features 19 speakers across three plenaries. Discussions will focus on issues shaping the future of maritime safety, including lessons learned from past incidents, and the human element in ensuring safety as the industry transforms. A new Safety@Sea Community Conversations event will also bring together representatives from shipping companies, regional ferry operators, harbour craft operators and terminal operators to share their experiences and efforts in fostering a safety culture in their organisations. 

Over 1,800 participants from more than 40 countries are expected to participate in the week’s sessions. Other highlights include the Responders Plus Programme (RPP) Maritime Workshop jointly organised by MPA and the Singapore Civil Defence Force, and two safety forums organised by the MPA-Harbour Craft and MPA-Pleasure Craft Safety Work Groups to promote safety awareness and best practices within the local maritime community. 

MPA is also enhancing safety across other areas of port operations. In collaboration with Skyports Drone Services, TFG Marine and CBS Ventures, MPA and the partners will complete Singapore’s first shore-to-ship drone trials for delivery and retrieval operations from bunker tankers later this week. 

The use of drones reduces reliance on harbour craft for such operations, improving efficiency while reducing pollution and congestion. 

It also minimises safety risks by removing the need for crew to handle and transfer heavy items between the ship and shore using harbour craft. Safety considerations, including the management of electrostatic discharge risks during the drone operations, are carefully reviewed in preparation for the trials. 

Findings from these trials will inform the development of safety protocols and an operational framework to support the phased implementation of this new maritime service.

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 15 July 2025

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