The following article regarding Europe and Africa bunker fuel availability has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for posting on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:
5 January, 2022
Supply of all grades remains readily available with a range of suppliers in the ARA and Gibraltar Strait – Europe’s two main bunkering hubs.
ARA’s independent fuel oil stocks were bolstered by inflows from Russia and other countries last week and rose above their five-year average position.
LSMGO tightened for prompt delivery dates in the ARA in the second half of December amid below-average inventories. A mild winter is forecast for Europe in January, which could curb gasoil demand for heating and contribute to boost inventories again.
Prompt bunker availability is tight in Malta and Istanbul. Several suppliers have limited product to offer in Malta, partly as some volumes have been termed up in contracts, leaving less for the spot market. The earliest delivery date is around six days ahead for several suppliers.
Termed up volumes are expected to support Malta’s prices in the coming days. Its benchmark VLSFO price has gained against Gibraltar Strait ports and Las Palmas this week, but offer prices are in a wide range and prompt stems incur significant premiums.
Rough weather limited bunkering to one of Malta’s six offshore areas at the beginning of the week, but calmer weather conditions should open for bunkering across all six until conditions worsen again on Saturday. The recent weather limitations have not caused massive delays as demand has been relatively muted, sources say.
The earliest expected delivery date for VLSFO in Istanbul is around five days out for several suppliers.
Swells towards 2 metres in Las Palmas and Tenerife on Wednesday and are forecast peak at around 3 metres on Saturday. Bunkering at outer anchorages could get suspended and add pressure on supply capacity at inner anchorage and at berths.
Intermittent periods of strong winds and swells in Algoa Bay and off Skaw over the coming week could disrupt bunker operations and might lead to backlogs.
Bunker availability is limited for prompt delivery dates in South Africa’s Durban and Richards Bay. Most suppliers are unable to offer VLSFO and LSMGO for delivery in these ports for the next two weeks, sources say.
Photo credit: ENGINE
Published: 6 January, 2022
Singapore and Rotterdam port saw the most number of off-spec cases over variety of issues in the period.
The company will be also taking delivery of a small launch that colleagues will use to move between bunker tankers by the end of August.
The merger by absorption is part of Cosco’s plan to integrate the core businesses of the group and optimise its management structure by enhancing operations.
Detentions are believed to be in line with latest developments taken by parties related to the collapse of Hin Leong Trading Pte ltd.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve and MPA is working closely with other agencies to monitor the situation, both globally and in Singapore, the port authority tells Manifold Times.
Session will provide insights on bunker quality issues from a bunker supplier, shipping company and surveyor, as well as providing insight and guidance on legal and dispute resolution issues.
Webinar will offer delegates insights on the prevention of operational issues when using VLSFOs, along with an update on biofuels and bunker fuel quality trends for 2021 and its forecast for the current year.
Heating VLSFOs to prevent cold flow issues causes issues related to distillate ageing, and there is a gentle balance to be maintained when handling the product.
Research into n-paraffin distribution of VLSFOs has shown that they not only differ from MGO, but significantly differ from each other as well, states bulletin.
Bunker Holding and Dan-Bunkering have decided not to appeal the city court ruling in the case where the companies were on trial for breaching EU sanctions against Syria, states USTC.
Poll shows market participants think Singapore’s future as a bunkering hub in the near term will be impacted most by growth in alternative bunker fuels and intensifying competition from other ports in Asia.
‘We will now take the necessary time to consider and evaluate the verdict and the premises of the verdict thoroughly before making any decision of whether to appeal to a higher court,’ informs company.
