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ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

HSFO supply improves in Hamburg; availability normal in Gibraltar; LSMGO tight in South African ports.

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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:

  • HSFO supply improves in Hamburg
  • Availability normal in Gibraltar
  • LSMGO tight in South African ports

 

Northwest Europe

HSFO availability is said to be normal in Rotterdam and in the wider ARA hub, two sources say. Lead times of 5-6 days are recommended for the grade, unchanged from last week. HSFO has become more widely available with some suppliers, compared to last month when availability was limited, a trader says.

However, some still think HSFO supply will remain tight for the rest of the year.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in the ARA hub. Lead times of 4-6 days are recommended for VLSFO, and up to four days for LSMGO. Some traders say that prompt availability of LSMGO is tight in the ARA hub. A few suppliers that are offering the grade for very prompt delivery dates (0-2 days) are quoting with steep price premiums, a trader says.

Overall, demand for LSMGO has been slow in recent weeks, the trader adds.

Rotterdam’s LSMGO price swung to a discount of $35/mt to front-month ICE Gasoil futures on Wednesday, after trading at a rare premium of about $7/mt over the ICE Gasoil contract last week.

Meanwhile, ICE Gasoil is in steep backwardation, with $14/mt between the front- and second-month contracts. Its second-to-third month spread more than twice as wide at $31/mt on Wednesday. A backwardated forward structure is usually a sign of fewer incentives to store products.

In the German port of Hamburg, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal. Lead times of about five days are recommended for the grades. HSFO supply has improved a bit in the port, a source says.

 

Mediterranean

All grades remain in normal availability across Gibraltar Strait ports. Lead times of 3-5 days are recommended for VLSFO and LSMGO in Gibraltar, and 4-6 days for HSFO. Several suppliers in Gibraltar and Ceuta are able to supply VLSFO and LSMGO on prompt delivery dates, a source says.

Minimum congestion was reported in Gibraltar, Algeciras and Ceuta on Wednesday, according to port agent MH Bland. One supplier in Gibraltar and three in Algeciras were behind schedule.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is good in the Portuguese ports of Lisbon and Sines.

Securing VLSFO and LSMGO for very prompt dates off Malta can be slightly difficult. One supplier is unable to supply the grade for very prompt dates due to a tight schedule, while another can supply from 10 September. But rough weather conditions are forecast between Wednesday and Friday, which could disrupt bunker operations off Malta.

Other bunker delivery areas in the Mediterranean such as Piraeus and Istanbul have good availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, a source says.

 

Africa

LSMGO availability is “super tight” across the South African ports of Durban, Cape Town and Richards Bay, a source says. The grade is in tight supply in the region, partly because one major supplier is running low on stocks there. VLSFO availability is relatively better and lead times of up to seven days are still recommended for the grade.

Bunkering resumed in Algoa Bay on Wednesday after being suspended for a day due to rough weather conditions, according to Rennies Ships Agency. However, strong wind gusts and heavy swells are forecast to hit the bay over the weekend, which could trigger another suspension.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is good in Mozambique’s Nacala and Maputo ports, a source says. HSFO is almost out of stock in Nacala. One supplier expects to receive a replenishment cargo after 15 September, which could ease some supply pressure there.

 By Nithin Chandran

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 7 September, 2023

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Incident

Singapore: Bunker spill leads to checks on all fuel pipes at other Police Coast Guard bases

Police said fuel pipes at the other three bases at Loyang, Lim Chu Kang and Gul are also being checked with inspections expected to be wrapped up on 10 February.

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The recent oil leak incident at Police Coast Guard (PCG) Brani Regional Base has prompted checks on all fuel pipes at PCG’s three other bases for leaks, according to The Straits Times on Monday (10 February). 

Responding to queries from the local news provider, the police said all fuel pipes at Brani Regional Base were inspected on 6 February while fuel pipes at the other three bases at Loyang, Lim Chu Kang and Gul are also being checked with inspections expected to be wrapped up on 10 February. 

The police also said that a preliminary assessment on the cause of the leak might be due to micro cracks in a damaged fuel pipe as a result of repeated twisting of the pipe due to the movement of the pontoons caused by tidal changes.

On 6 February, Singapore authorities confirmed that a diesel oil leak was discovered at the Brani Regional Base on 5 February, at around 11.40am (Singapore Time). 

According to a joint statement by Singapore Police Force, Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) and National Environment Agency (NEA), about 23 metric tonnes had leaked from a damaged shore fuel hose used to refuel patrol craft at Selat Sengkir. 

The leak was eventually isolated at about 3.40pm and there were no oil slicks observed.

Related: Singapore confirms bunker spill from damaged shore fuel hose at Brani Regional Base

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 11 February, 2025

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Biofuel

NYK conducts first Japan bio bunker fuel trial on coal carrier for domestic power utility firm

Firm said it has started a biofuel test run on Noshiro Maru, operated by Tohoku Electric Power, marking the first time in Japan that a coal carrier has been used to test biofuel for a domestic power utility firm.

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NYK conducts first Japan bio bunker fuel trial on coal carrier for domestic power utility firm

Japanese shipping firm NYK on Monday (10 February) said it has started a biofuel test run on its coal carrier Noshiro Maru, which is operated by Tohoku Electric Power on 9 February.

This is the first time in Japan that a coal carrier has been used to test biofuel for a domestic power utility company. Mitsubishi Corporation Energy in the Keihin area facilitated the supply of biofuel for the vessel.

Biofuels are made from organic resources (biomass) of biological origin, such as agricultural residues and waste cooking oil, and are considered to produce virtually zero carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions when combusted.

“Since they can be used in heavy-oil-powered ship engines, which are common on large merchant ships, biofuels are considered a key means of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transition period from heavy oil to zero-emission fuels,” NYK said. 

“Using biofuel to reduce GHG emissions during sea navigation also contributes to reducing Scope 3 GHG emissions generated by transporting customers’ cargo.”

NYK added it will continue to focus on introducing biofuels and other next-generation fuels, and will contribute to reducing GHG emissions in our customers' supply chains while promoting decarbonisation in marine transport.

 

Photo credit: NYK
Published: 11 February, 2025

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Biofuel

IBIA welcomes IMO move to draft guidance change on carriage of bio bunker fuels

IBIA welcomed agreement by IMO’s Sub Committee on PPR 12 to draft Interim Guidance on the carriage of blends of biofuels and MARPOL Annex I cargoes by conventional bunker ships.

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The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) on Monday (10 February) said it submitted a document to IMO on the carriage of biofuels for supply to a ship for use as fuel oil on board that ship in November 2023.

This highlighted that as conventional bunker vessels were limited in carrying fuel oil of no more than 25% biofuel it presented a potential impediment to the global adoption of biofuels as fuel oil for ships and so to the ambition for the decarbonization of international shipping in the short term, as set out in the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy.

“IBIA therefore welcomes the agreement by IMO’s Sub Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 12) to draft Interim Guidance on the carriage of blends of biofuels and MARPOL Annex I cargoes by conventional bunker ships,” it said on its website. 

The guidance allows conventional bunker ships certified for carriage of oil fuels under MARPOL Annex I to transport blends of not more than 30% by volume of biofuel, as long as all residues or tank washings are discharged ashore, unless the oil discharge monitoring equipment (ODME) is approved for the biofuel blend(s) being shipped. 

“The Interim Guidance is expected to be approved by IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) in April,” IBIA added. 

“IBIA’s membership represents stakeholders from across the global marine fuel value chain, and being able to draw on this technically strong and credible resource will, in its role of having consultative status to the IMO, mean that IBIA will continue to bring important matters to the attention of the wider IMO membership for due consideration.”

 

Photo credit: International Bunker Industry Association
Published: 11 February, 2025

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