Bunker Fuel

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (7 Jan 2026)

ARA deliveries carry RED III premiums; rough weather delays East Mediterranean bunkering; HSFO availability improves in Durban.

Published

5 months ago

January 8, 2026

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:

ARA deliveries carry RED III premiums
Rough weather delays East Mediterranean bunkering
HSFO availability improves in Durban

Northwest Europe

VLSFO availability in the ARA bunkering hub is tight for prompt supplies, with buyers recommended to book stems with a lead time of eight days to get good coverage from suppliers, a trader said. LSMGO and HSFO availability is now normal, with supplies available promptly with a notice of 2-4 days, the trader added.

This compares with last week, when most fuel grades required lead times of around 5-7 days.

Since 1 January, bunker fuels delivered in Dutch ports have been brought under the Netherlands’ regulatory framework implementing the EU’s third Renewable Energy Directive (RED III). As a result, bunker prices in Dutch ports have begun to reflect compliance-related premiums, as suppliers pass on associated costs for conventional fossil fuel grades.

Additionally, the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp now require all bunker deliveries to be made by certified mass flow meter (MFM)-equipped barges. Several bunker suppliers have cited MFM investment costs as reasons for adding surcharges to their fuels.

Independently held fuel oil stocks in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) refining, storage and bunkering hub gained 2% in December, according to Insights Global data.

The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – fell 9% lower in December, according to the Insights Global data.

In Germany’s Hamburg, a notice of 3-5 days is enough for delivery of all fuel grades, a trader told ENGINE.

In Sweden’s Gothenburg and off Denmark’s Skaw, a lead time of at least 10 days is recommended for deliveries of all fuel grades, another trader said.

Mediterranean

Getting prompt fuel deliveries remains challenging in Gibraltar Strait ports, with buyers recommended to book around 5-7 days ahead to get competitive offers from a wide selection of suppliers, a trader said.

There are nine vessels currently waiting for bunkers in Gibraltar. Some suppliers have been running around 6-10 hours behind schedule, while others can be delayed by more than a day, port agent MH Bland said.

Suppliers in neighbouring Algeciras have been delayed by around 6-12 hours, MH Bland added.

Fuel supplies in Spain’s Barcelona can need around 5-7 days of notice for all grades, a trader said.

Bunker fuel availability in Las Palmas is now improving. Most suppliers require around 7-10 days of lead time for all fuel grades, compared to last week when VLSFO supplies needed a notice of more than two weeks, a trader told ENGINE.

Rough waves of more than 2 metres have suspended operations at Las Palmas’ outer anchorage. Deliveries can still be carried out at the inner anchorage and at berth, but with some delays, MH Bland said.

The weather is also affecting bunkering at locations across the East Mediterranean region.

Bunker demand remains normal off Malta, but supplies are being disrupted by rough westerly winds of more than 25 knots and waves exceeding 3 metres. Conditions are forecast to be rough intermittently until Sunday.

Operations are currently limited to Malta’s Bunkering Area 1, where there is a backlog of vessels waiting for fuel. Most suppliers recommend lead times of around five days for all fuel deliveries, a trader said.

In Greece’s Piraeus, rough winds are disrupting bunkering operations, leading to congestion. Buyers are recommended to book stems with a 3-4-day notice, a trader said.

Rough weather is forecast in Türkiye’s Istanbul on Thursday and is expected to cause bunker delays, a local fuel supplier said.

Africa

In the Senegalese port of Dakar, one supplier said it can deliver VLSFO stems with a 3-5-day notice, while LSMGO supplies are tight.

In Togo’s Lome and off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, HSFO availability is very tight, while LSMGO and VLSFO deliveries can be arranged with around 5-7 days of lead time, a trader said.

In Sao Tome & Principe, LSMGO remains easily available at the container port in Sao Tome, as well as at the country’s Neves deep-water bunkering terminal, a local supplier told ENGINE.

In South Africa’s Durban and Richards Bay, both HSFO and VLSFO suppliers are available easily with a 2-4-day notice, compared to last week when HSFO supplies required a longer lead time of around a week, a trader said.

Rough winds of more than 25 knots are expected in Durban between 8-9 January, and the Transnet National Port Authority has issued an alert.

HSFO availability remains very tight in Mauritius’ Port Louis. Buyers are advised to book almost two weeks ahead, a trader said. VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are relatively quicker to source, requiring around a week of notice each, the trader added.

By Nachiket Tekawade

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 8 January, 2025

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Biofuel

BHP and GCMD trial multi-feedstock B100 bio bunker fuel on bulk carrier

Bio-blend in the BHP and GCMD pilot is being used on a BHP-chartered bulk carrier “Berge Lyngor”, which was bunkered in Singapore in early May.

Published

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June 3, 2026

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BHP and GCMD trial multi-feedstock B100 bio bunker fuel on bulk carrier

BHP and the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) on Wednesday (3 June) said they have blended biofuels from two distinct feedstocks—used cooking oil and waste animal fats —and introduced the lower-emissions marine fuel into a BHP-chartered bulk carrier as part of a pilot project.

The bio-blend in the BHP and GCMD pilot is being used on a BHP-chartered bulk carrier Berge Lyngor, owned and operated by Berge Bulk, transporting BHP iron ore from Western Australia to China. When run on bio-blend, the vessel has the potential to reduce well-to-wake greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 79 per cent per voyage compared to sailing on very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO).

The vessel bunkered in Singapore in early May with a B100 bio-blend comprising 50 percent tallow-derived biodiesel, sourced and supplied by HAMR Energy, and 50 per cent used cooking oil (UCOME) supplied by Mitsui & Co Energy Trading Singapore (METS).

Mitsui also blended the fuel and Dan-Bunkering coordinated and executed the bunkering operation, which was performed by Global Energy’s barge MT Maple.

The BHP and GCMD pilot will assess how biofuels from multiple feedstocks can be blended, handled, and introduced under real-world operating conditions using existing used cooking oil bunkering infrastructure.

At the same time, insights from this pilot will help identify solutions to challenges related to fuel quality, handling, traceability, and onboard vessel performance.

Biofuels for global shipping today rely heavily on used cooking oil – a feedstock whose availability is approaching its projected limits. Biofuel from waste animal fats presents a promising option to expand the supply of lower-emissions marine fuels.

The outcomes of the pilot are expected to shed light on the practical steps to integrate biofuel blends from different feedstocks into existing supply chains. The diversity of biofuels will provide shipowners and operators with greater flexibility to optimise fuel procurement based on cost, availability, and lifecycle emissions performance.

Biofuels derived from different feedstocks can exhibit varying properties that may impact operations, including potential corrosion from oxidation, fuel system clogging caused by wax formation, which this pilot aims to assess.

The pilot will trace and verify the biofuel blend’s integrity aimed at bolstering confidence in emissions reductions reporting. The pilot will also provide insights into how robust tracing can support future marine fuel supply chains where biofuels from multiple feedstocks with varying lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions footprints are blended together.

This project is co-funded by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore under the Maritime Innovation and Technology Fund (MINT).

Photo credit: Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation
Published: 3 June, 2026

Biofuel

NYK starts one-year B100 bio bunker fuel trial on car carrier

In this trial, NYK will operate a car carrier continuously on B100 for one year to evaluate the impact on engines, fuel supply systems, and operational practices.

Published

18 hours ago

June 3, 2026

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NYK starts one-year B100 bio bunker fuel trial on car carrier

Japanese shipping firm NYK on Tuesday (2 June) said it has commenced a one-year long-term trial involving the continuous use of 100% biofuel (B100) on an NYK-operated car carrier.

In this trial, NYK will operate a car carrier continuously on B100 for one year to evaluate the impact on engines, fuel supply systems, and operational practices. High-purity biofuels such as B100 are known to be susceptible to degradation from oxygen, light, and heat, raising concerns about the stability of such fuels during long-term use.

In this trial, the biofuel primarily comprises FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) derived from used cooking oil and similar feedstocks.

The initiative is designed to evaluate the fuel’s effects on the vessel’s equipment and verify operational safety under real-world conditions.

Through this effort, NYK seeks to accumulate technical expertise that will support the broader use of high-purity biofuels and further accelerate efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

NYK has been advancing the use of biofuels through various initiatives. In 2024, the company conducted a trial using biofuel blend B24 and subsequently expanded practical usage to B30. However, the company said there remains limited global experience with the long-term continuous use of B100.

“By collecting long-term operational data through this trial, NYK aims to accumulate valuable technical insights to support both the safe operation of vessels and the wider adoption of high-purity biofuels,” it said.

Photo credit: NYK
Published: 3 June, 2026

Ammonia

AM Green plans to build green ammonia plant at Indian port

Initiative also includes development of green ammonia handling, storage and bunkering infrastructure, pilot bunkering operations, safety procedures and training programmes, says VOC Port Authority.

Published

18 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Admin

VO Chidambaranar (VOC) Port Authority on Friday (29 May) said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s ammonia producer AM Green Ammonia to collaborate in the development of a green ammonia production plant.

The plant will have a capacity of one million tonnes per annum (MTPA) at Tuticorin.

The initiative also includes development of green ammonia handling, storage and bunkering infrastructure, pilot bunkering operations, safety procedures and training programmes.

The project is expected to support the development of green fuel corridors connecting VOC Port with major ports in Europe and Asia, thereby strengthening India’s position in the global green fuels value chain.

VOC Port also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bureau Veritas (India) Pvt. Ltd., to collaborate on Green Port certification, emissions accounting, ESG reporting, safety validation, development of green bunkering practices, and establishment of a Centre of Excellence for green fuels and sustainability.

The port also plans for an upcoming 750 m³ green methanol bunkering facility.

Photo credit: Naveed Ahmed on Unsplash
Published: 3 June, 2026