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ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (8 May 2024)

HSFO tightness has eased in the ARA; rough weather may impact bunkering in Gibraltar; VLSFO supply has tightened in Nacala.
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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 tightness has eased in the ARA
  • Rough weather may impact bunkering in Gibraltar
  • VLSFO supply has tightened in Nacala

Northwest Europe

Availability of all three grades is normal in Rotterdam and the wider ARA hub. HSFO supply tightness in Rotterdam has eased coming into this week, according to a trader. Lead times for HSFO have come down from last week’s 4-6 days to 3-5 days now.

Lead times for LSMGO and VLSFO grades have remained unchanged since last week. While lead times of 3-5 days are recommended for LSMGO, VLSFO requires 4-5 days of lead time, according to a trader. 

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks averaged 2% lower in April than across March, according to Insights Global data.

The region imported 252,000 b/d of fuel oil in April, slightly down from 254,000 b/d in March, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. 

The US emerged as the ARA’s biggest fuel oil import source in April, accounting for 16% of the region’s total imports. The UK ranked second, accounting for 12% of the region’s total imports, followed by France (11%), Mexico and Saudi Arabia (9% each).

The ARA hub’s independent gasoil inventories — which include diesel and heating oil — averaged 5% higher in April than in March. Gasoil stocks have risen to their highest levels since June last year. The region imported 358,000 b/d of gasoil in April, down from 373,000 b/d imported in March.

The German port of Hamburg has normal availability across all bunker grades. Some suppliers are able to offer prompt delivery dates for grades. A trader advises lead times of 3-5 days for all grades for maximum coverage from suppliers.

Bunker fuel availability has improved off Skaw, but securing prompt supply remains a challenge. Recommended lead times have come down from 10-14 days seen in the past week to 7-10 days now, a trader says. Weather disruptions could complicate bunker deliveries off Skaw on Thursday, a source said.

Mediterranean

Availability is normal in Gibraltar, but rough weather conditions have pushed lead times further ahead. Lead times for all grades have increased from last week’s 3-5 days to 4-6 days now. Wind gusts ranging between 16-28 knots are forecast to hit Gibraltar from Wednesday onwards, which could disrupt bunker operations until Saturday. Winds at the higher end of that range can pose problems for bunker deliveries by barges.

In the Canary Islands’ port of Las Palmas, availability is normal. All three bunker fuel grades are available for prompt delivery, according to a trader. Lead times of 3-5 days are recommended for all three grades in the port.

Bunker demand has been mostly steady in other Mediterranean ports, including Piraeus, Malta Offshore and Istanbul, a trader said.

Prompt availability is tight in the Greek port of Piraeus, with lead times of 3-4 days advised for all grades. Bunkering activity was mostly minimal during the weekend and on Monday due to the Orthodox Easter Holidays, a trader told ENGINE. Adverse weather is forecast to hit Piraeus between Thursday and Saturday, which may hamper bunkering in the area, according to a source.

Off Malta, availability is normal across all grades, but securing grades for very prompt delivery dates (0-2 days) can be difficult, a trader said. One trader advises lead times of 3-4 days for all grades in the port. The weather is forecast to remain rough until Saturday, which could impact bunkering there.

In Turkey’s Istanbul port, availability is slightly tight for prompt dates, and lead times of 3-4 days are advised for all grades, a trader said.

Vessel traffic was temporarily suspended in the Bosphorus Strait for both directions on Tuesday after a vessel ran aground earlier in the day. Istanbul’s bunkering was unaffected due to the closure, with most local suppliers offering bunkers to ships in the port, a trader said. The Strait was opened to vessel traffic later that day after Turkey’s Directorate General of Coastal Safety refloated the vessel.

Africa

VLSFO is available for non-prompt delivery dates in the South African ports of Durban and Richards Bay. Lead times of 7-10 days are recommended for the grade in these ports.

LSMGO availability is also available in Durban, with lead times of 7-10 days advised by a trader. Wind gusts of up to 29 knots on Wednesday and 35 knots on Saturday may impact bunkering in Durban.

VLSFO availability has been tight in Mozambique’s Nacala amid high demand for the grade in the port. In contrast, LSMGO availability is better, but demand for the grade has been low, a source told ENGINE. HSFO demand has been steady, and the grade is reported to be good in terms of availability in the port.

Maputo in Mozambique has good availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO, a source said. Demand has been steady for both grades in the port.

Offshore bunker operations have remained suspended in Algoa Bay since last September, when the South African Revenue Service (SARS) detained bunker barges due to import duty disputes. Since then, bunker supply has been limited to in-port deliveries by one supplier in Port Elizabeth, where supply is only available by truck.

By Manjula Nair

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 9 May 2024

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Biofuel

Singapore: Sea Oil Petroleum receives ISCC EU certification, mulls increasing product portfolio

‘Sea Oil seeks to do its part for climate change by giving options to support to our end users,’ says Steve Goh, Head of Trading.

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July 10, 2025

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Singapore-based bunker trading firm Sea Oil Petroleum Pte Ltd (Sea Oil), a wholly owned subsidiary of Thailand-listed Sea Oil Public Company Limited, has received International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) EU certification, learned Manifold Times.

ISCC EU is a certification scheme that verifies compliance with the sustainability criteria for biofuels and bioliquids within the European Union. It ensures that biomass and biofuels used in the EU meet specific environmental and social requirements, including greenhouse gas emission reductions and traceability throughout the supply chain.

The milestone, which took place on 22 May after two months of processing, was reflective of the company’s aim to expand its bunker fuel product offerings to clients seeking sustainable solutions, Steve Goh, Head of Trading at Sea Oil, told the bunkering publication.

“It is important for the bunkering sector to remain relevant, adapt, and play an active role in supporting shipping’s decarbonisation journey,” said Mr Goh while adding that, “this is in line with our group’s green initiative and sustainability drive.”

“As such, Sea Oil seeks to do its part for climate change by giving options to support to our end users.

“By achieving ISCC EU certification, Sea Oil will be in a better position to provide green marine fuel solutions to customers embarking on this journey towards net zero.”

Manifold Times in May reported Sea Oil welcoming a Senior Bunker Trader to its team.

The company started 2025 with an expanded team on both international and local fronts.

Sea Oil Petroleum may be reached at: [email protected]

Related: Singapore: Sea Oil Petroleum boosts Asia and international presence with new Senior Bunker Trader
Related: Singapore: Sea Oil Petroleum enters 2025 with international representatives, expanded team

 

Photo credit: Sea Oil Petroleum
Published: 10 July 2025

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Bunker Fuel Availability

JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (June 2025)

Country sold about 1.74 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in June, with the daily sales at 57,910 mt, a dip of 0.26% month on month, JLC’s data shows.
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Bonded bunker fuel sales in Zhoushan (June 2025)

Beijing-based commodity market information provider JLC Network Technology Co. recently shared its JLC China Bunker monthly report for June 2025 with Manifold Times through an exclusive arrangement:

Bunker Fuel Demand

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales inch lower in June

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales inched lower in June, due to the negative impact from geopolitical tensions and seasonally tepid shipping demand.

The country sold about 1.74 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in June, with the daily sales at 57,910 mt, a dip of 0.26% month on month, JLC’s data shows.

Bonded bunker fuel sales by Chimbusco, Sinopec (Zhoushan), SinoBunker and China Changjiang Bunker (Sinopec) respectively settled at 460,000 mt, 560,000 mt, 45,000 mt and 25,000 mt in the month, while those by suppliers with regional bunkering licenses stood at 647,300 mt.

The efficiency of global trade declined amid trade war, leading to a slip in the world’s bunkering demand.

China’s LSFO output rallies in June

China’s LSFO output rallied in June amid unit restarts, but the rally was limited to some degree by some refineries’ maintenance and bad production margins.

Chinese refiners produced about 1.02 million mt of LSFO in the month, with the daily output rising by 10.58% month on month to 34,067 mt, JLC’s data shows.

Specifically, Sinopec maintained basically stable LSFO production in June. The company’s Shengli Oilfield and Jinling Petrochemical slashed their production after launching maintenance in the middle of the month, while Shanghai Gaoqiao Petrochemical, Hunan Petrochemical and Tianjin Petrochemical wrapped up turnarounds and boosted their output.

PetroChina recorded a modest rise in its production in June as Jinxi Petrochemical restarted its units. However, Jinzhou Petrochemical and Liaohe Petrochemical slightly cut their production. The output of other refineries did not change much in the month.

CNOOC saw a significant boost in its output in the month, as Huizhou Refinery resumed production while Zhoushan Petrochemical and Taizhou Petrochemical ramped up production.

ZPC and Sinochem did not produce any LSFO in June, but the latter exported 10,000 mt of MGO.

On a year-on-year comparison, however, China’s LSFO output fell by 22.75% in June.

China bunker exports by region 2024 2025 (June 2025)

 

China major blending producers' bunker supply (June 2025)

Domestic-trade bunker fuel demand weakens in June

Domestic-trade bunker fuel demand further weakened in June, with most shipowners still holding a wait-and-see attitude.

Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand slipped to 340,000 mt in the month, down 20,000 mt or 5.56% from the previous month, JLC’s data shows. Most purchases were still based on rigid demand, though market sentiment became slightly bullish.

Meanwhile, domestic-trade light bunker fuel demand declined to 140,000 mt, down 10,000 mt or 6.67% month on month. Diesel demand remained lackluster amid the fishing moratorium.

Bunker Fuel Supply

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports rebound in May

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports rebounded in May, as domestic refiners increased purchases of imported LSFO when domestic supply tightened.

Chinese bunker suppliers imported 610,500 mt of bonded bunker fuel in the month, a boost of 16.17% month on month and 97.06% year on year, JLC’s calculation shows, based on data from the GACC.

Domestic LSFO output extended declines amid more unit maintenance, forcing bonded distributors to place more orders for imported LSFO. Meanwhile, HSFO imports increased amid growing demand, while MGO arrivals dropped amid larger domestic production and tepid demand.

Russia became the largest bonded bunker fuel supplier to China in May, up from the fourth place in April. The country exported 377,700 mt of bonded bunker fuel to China in the month, accounting for 61.88% of the latter’s total imports. At the same time, Singapore came second with 144,500 mt, accounting for 23.67%, while South Korea ranked third with 50,300 mt, accounting for 8.23%. In addition, Malaysia ranked fourth with 38,000 mt, occupying 6.22%.

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports totaled 2.66 million mt in January-May, surging by 64.54% year on year, the calculation shows.

Bonded bunker fuel imports by source (June 2025)

Domestic-trade bunker fuel supply continues to tighten in June

Domestic-trade bunker fuel supply continued to tighten in June, as the availability of blendstock declined and most blending in northeast and east China was still at a halt.

Blenders supplied about 360,000 mt of domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel in the month, down by 10,000 mt or 2.70% month on month, JLC’s data shows.

Domestic supply of low-sulfur residual oil tightened as China Offshore Bitumen (Binzhou) came under maintenance, while that of shale oil also declined. Meanwhile, most blenders in northeast and eastern China were yet to resume their blending, as the impact of tax inspections persisted.

Domestic-trade light bunker fuel supply dropped to 150,000 mt in June, down by 10,000 mt or 6.25% month on month, the data shows. Diesel supply tightened as some refineries lowered their operating rates amid unit maintenance.

Arrival of imported fuel oil cargoes (June 2025)

Bunker Prices, Profits

China main oil blending feedstock prices (June 2025)

 

China domestic trading 180 cSt (June 2025)

 

China bunker blending profit by region (June 2025)

 

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JLC Network Technology Co., Ltd is recognised as the leading information provider in China. We specialise in providing the transparent, high-value, authoritative market intelligence and professional analysis in commodity market. Our expertise covers oil, gas, coal, chemical, plastic, rubber, fertilizer and metal industry, etc.

JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report is published by JLC Network Technology Co., Ltd every month on China bunker market, demand, supply, margin, freight index, forecast and so on. The report provides full-scale & concise insight into China bunker oil market.

All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be photocopied, reproduced, retransmitted, put into a computer system or otherwise redistributed without prior authorization from JLC.

Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (May 2025)
Related: [Updated 15 May] JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (April 2025)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (February 2025)
Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (January 2025)
Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (December 2024)
Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (November 2024)
Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (October 2024)
Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (September 2024)
Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (August 2024)
Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (July 2024)
Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (June 2024)
Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (May 2024)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (April 2024)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (March 2024)
Related: JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (February 2024)
Related: JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (January 2024)

Note: China-based commodity market information provider JLC Technology has been providing Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times China bunker volume data since 2020. Data from earlier periods are available here.

 

Photo credit: JLC Network Technology
Published: 10 July 2025

 

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Port & Regulatory

India: DGS seeking for comments for proposed national biofuel bunkering guidelines

Guidelines to align Indian practices with international conventions, contributing to a modern, resilient, and environmentally conscious maritime ecosystem.
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DGS biofuel bunkering guidelines

The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), Mumbai on 3 July issued a notice inviting comments from stakeholders on the draft circular on Biofuel bunkering Guidelines.

“Increasing global emphasis on decarbonising the maritime sector has accelerated the adoption of biofuels as a sustainable alternative to conventional marine fuels,” it explained.

“Biofuels, particularly drop-in types such as Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME), Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters (FAEE), Straight Vegetable Oils (SVO), Hydrotreated Vegetable Oils (HVO), Bio-FT-diesel (bio-Fischer-Tropsch diesel) and Biomass-to-Liquid (BTL) fuels, offer considerable benefits by reducing lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions without necessitating major modifications to existing shipboard fuel systems.

“However, the absence of standardised national guidelines for biofuel bunkering operations in India introduces potential challenges related to safety, fuel quality assurance, environmental protection, and operational consistency.”

The proposed circular aims to bridge these gaps by establishing a clear regulatory framework for permitting, operational protocols, safety management, documentation, environmental safeguards, training requirements, and enforcement mechanisms specific to biofuel bunkering.

By implementing these guidelines, the Directorate seeks to ensure safe and reliable bunkering practices, promote the use of cleaner fuels in alignment with India’s environmental commitments, and support the growth of sustainable maritime infrastructure.

The guidelines are crucial for facilitating the responsible uptake of biofuels in the shipping sector, aligning Indian practices with international conventions, contributing to a modern, resilient, and environmentally conscious maritime ecosystem.

The full draft circular on biofuel bunkering guidelines can be obtained from DGS’ website here. Comments and inputs should be sent to: [email protected] and CC to: [email protected] by 18/07/2025.

 

Photo credit: Directorate General of Shipping
Published: 10 July 2025

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