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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (9 Oct 2024)

Prompt supply is tight in the ARA; HSFO is tight in Las Palmas; prompt VLSFO is tight in Richards Bay.

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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:

  • Prompt supply is tight in the ARA
  • HSFO is tight in Las Palmas
  • Prompt VLSFO is tight in Richards Bay

Northwest Europe

Prompt availability across all three grades is currently very tight in Rotterdam and in the wider ARA hub, a trader told ENGINE.

While LSMGO tightness has continued into its second week, HSFO and VLSFO began experiencing tightness last week. Product loading delays are leading to this tightness in prompt availability. Lead times for all three grades have stretched to 5–7 days now as several barges are stuck in long queues awaiting product loading, two sources confirmed. The region has been experiencing good demand, a trader confirmed.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks averaged 5% lower in September than across August, according to Insights Global data.

The region imported 229,000 b/d of fuel oil in September, a moderate increase from 223,000 b/d imported in August, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. The ARA imported low-sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) and HSFO in a 51/49 ratio in September, almost similar to August when the ratio was also tilted towards LSFO at 53/47.

The ARA hub’s independent gasoil inventories — which include diesel and heating oil — increased by 12% in September. The region imported 291,000 b/d of gasoil in September, down from 355,000 b/d of gasoil imported in August, according to Vortexa data.

Saudi Arabia became the region's top import source of gasoil and diesel in September, accounting for 17% of the total imports. Cargoes also arrived from the US (16%), Oman (12%), Qatar (9%) and Turkey (7%).

Germany’s Hamburg port is experiencing good bunker availability, a trader said. Lead times remain unchanged with traders advising 3–5 days for optimal coverage. 

Mediterranean

In Gibraltar, bunker fuel availability is good, with suppliers able to offer prompt delivery dates for all three grades, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times have remained unchanged in the past two weeks with traders advising 3-5 days for all grades.

Rough weather may complicate bunker deliveries in Gibraltar on Wednesday when strong wind gusts of up to 30 knots are forecast in the port area. Calm weather is forecast from Thursday and through the weekend, making it conducive to bunkering.

Prompt HSFO availability is still tight in the Canary Islands’ port of Las Palmas, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of 5–7 days are recommended for optimal coverage. Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is good in the port and lead times of 3–5 days are recommended for both grades. Bunkering is likely to proceed smoothly in Las Palmas for the rest of the week amid calm weather conditions.

Bunker demand continues to be stable in other Mediterranean ports like Piraeus, Malta Offshore and Istanbul, a trader said.

In the Greek port of Piraeus, VLFSO and LSMGO availability is good, a trader said. Some suppliers are able to offer the grades within two days, the trader added. Prompt HSFO supply is subject to enquiry in Piraeus. Lead times of 3–5 days are generally recommended for all three grades. Calm weather is forecast in Piraeus this week, a source said, making it conducive to bunkering.

Off Malta, bunker availability is good for prompt delivery dates, a trader said. Recommended lead times for all grades are 3–4 days, a trader said. Rough weather is forecast off Malta from Thursday till Saturday, which may impact bunkering in the area, a source said.

Bunker fuel availability is good in the Turkish port of Istanbul. A trader advises lead times of 3–4 days for all grades. Bunkering may be hampered between Wednesday and Saturday in Istanbul due to bad weather, according to a source.

Africa

Availability of VLSFO is tight for prompt delivery dates in the South African ports of Richards Bay and Durban, with a trader recommending lead times of 7–10 days for optimal coverage. 

LSMGO availability is also very tight for prompt delivery in Durban port, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of up to 14 days are recommended.

Durban may experience bunker disruptions on Wednesday and Friday amid rough weather. Strong wind gusts of up to 27 knots are forecast on Wednesday, while wind gusts in the 20–25 knots range are forecast for Friday.

In Mauritius’ Port Louis, bunker availability is still very tight for all three grades, a trader told ENGINE. Most suppliers are recommending lead times of over 10 days for all three grades.

By Manjula Nair

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 10 October, 2024

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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (7 Nov 2024)

Low demand in Houston; bad weather disrupts GOLA bunkering; Hurricane Rafael makes landfall in Cuba.

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RESIZED ENGINE Americas

The following article regarding bunker fuel availability in the Americas region has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

  • Low demand in Houston
  • Bad weather disrupts GOLA bunkering
  • Hurricane Rafael makes landfall in Cuba

North America

Bunker fuel demand has slowed considerably in Houston this week amid the US presidential election. Fuel grade availability, however, remains strong, with most suppliers offering VLSFO and LSMGO stems for prompt dates with a 5-7 day lead time.

In Bolivar Roads, VLSFO and LSMGO are also readily available for prompt dates, although deliveries depend on weather conditions and anchorage schedules, according to a source.

Bunker operations resumed on Wednesday in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) following nearly a week-long suspension due to strong winds. Since then, a period of calmer weather has allowed suppliers to address the backlog, but conditions are expected to deteriorate again from Friday, potentially causing further delays.

On the East Coast, prompt VLSFO and LSMGO are available in New York, though demand has been low this week.

West Coast ports, including Long Beach and Los Angeles, have seen sluggish demand. VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains steady, with a 5-day lead time recommended to avoid price premiums for faster deliveries, a trader noted.

Demand at New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA) has been strong this week, with most suppliers able to meet prompt VLSFO and LSMGO requirements.

Caribbean and Latin America

In Balboa, VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains tight, with suppliers requiring a lead time of 7-8 days for prompt dates.

Hurricane Rafael has intensified to a Category 3 storm as it makes landfall in Cuba, raising concerns about its potential impact on US offshore energy operations in the Gulf of Mexico, a source reported.

Operations at the Buckeye Bahamas Hub terminal have been suspended since Monday due to adverse weather, halting bunkering and lightering activities. The terminal operator expects conditions to remain unfavorable until Friday, delaying service resumption.

The Buckeye Hub, a crucial terminal in the region, frequently serves large vessels for refueling and transfers, making it an essential link in the shipping chain.

In Freeport, bunker fuel is available, though bunkering has been paused since late last week due to inclement weather. Deliveries are expected to resume during calmer periods, though further delays are anticipated as weather disruptions persist.

In Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage, bunkering operations have been suspended since Monday due to wind gusts up to 29 knots, making barge deliveries challenging.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 8 November, 2024

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Bunker Fuel

Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (7 November 2024)

Bunker report panellists include Island Oil Limited, Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Monjasa A/S and KPI OceanConnect.

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Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (7 November 2024)

The following bunker report has been provided by freight market information provider Baltic Exchange for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

Note:

All values are in US$/metric ton, all-in (invoice price), delivered on board
Delivery in 7-10 days
ISO 8217:2010
IFO 380 3.5% Sulphur
IFO 380 0.5% Sulphur
DMA 0.1% Sulphur

Rotterdam – Waalhaven – Maasvlakte range
Houston – Houston Harbor
Singapore – Anchorage, under SBA Scheme
Fujairah – Offshore Anchorage Area

Submitted weekly at Close of Business UK time, on Tuesday & Thursdays

Panellists:
Island Oil Limited, Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Monjasa A/S, KPI OceanConnect

 

Photo credit and source: Baltic Exchange
Published: 8 November, 2024

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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Prompt supply is tight in the ARA; prompt HSFO is tight in Gibraltar; LSMGO supply improves in Durban.

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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:

  • Prompt supply is tight in the ARA
  • Prompt HSFO is tight in Gibraltar
  • LSMGO supply improves in Durban

Northwest Europe

All grades remain in tight supply for prompt dates in Rotterdam. HSFO now requires lead times of 7-10 days, while VLSFO and LSMGO need 5-7 days. Refinery maintenance work in Rotterdam has triggered the supply crunch, a source told ENGINE.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks averaged 2% higher in October than across September, according to Insights Global data.

The region imported 257,000 b/d of fuel oil in October, up from 229,000 b/d imported in September, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. The ARA imported low-sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) and HSFO in a 48/52 ratio in October, unlike September's 51/49 ratio which was leaning towards LSFO.

The UK (22% of the total) emerged as the region’s biggest fuel oil import source in October. The US (12%) came in second, while Turkey ranked third at 9%. This was followed by Lithuania (8%), France and Poland (7% each).

The ARA hub’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil - came down by 10% in October, despite higher imports. The region imported 410,000 b/d of gasoil in October, a sharp rise from September’s 291,000 b/d, according to Vortexa data.

Securing prompt supply is not a challenge in Germany’s Hamburg port. The port has ample supply for all grades, a trader said. Lead times of 3-4 days are generally recommended, a trader said.

Mediterranean

HSFO is tight in Gibraltar for very prompt delivery dates, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of 5-7 days are recommended for optimal coverage for the grade. VLSFO and LSMGO availability is relatively better with short lead times of 3-5 days advised. Bunkering may be disrupted in Gibraltar on Thursday and Friday because of wind gusts of 19-21 knots.

HSFO is tight in the Spanish ports of Las Palmas and Barcelona, according to a trader.

Las Palmas port in the Canary Islands has faced limited HSFO supply in recent weeks, with recommended lead times now around 11 days. In contrast, VLSFO and LSMGO supply is ample and most suppliers can deliver both grades for prompt dates, a trader said.

In Barcelona, all grades have been tight since the start of the week. HSFO and VLSFO supplies are particularly constrained, with recommended lead times of 7-10 days. LSMGO requires lead times of 5-7 days.

Demand has been negligible in other Mediterranean ports like Piraeus, Malta Offshore and Istanbul, a trader said.

Greece’s Piraeus port has normal availability across all three grades. After experiencing minor supply pressures earlier in the week, conditions eased on Wednesday, with suppliers now offering prompt delivery across all grades.

Bunkering disruptions may occur in Piraeus from Wednesday till Saturday amid rough weather, a source said.

Off Malta, bunker availability is normal for all three grades, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of 3-4 days are advised across all three grades. Bad weather is forecast between Wednesday and Saturday, which may impact bunkering. 

Turkey’s Istanbul also has prompt supply available for all three grades, a trader said. Lead times of 3-4 days are recommended in the port. Adverse weather forecast in the port area between Wednesday and Saturday may disrupt bunkering.

Africa

VLSFO supply is good for non-prompt delivery dates in South Africa’s Durban and Richards Bay with lead times of 7-10 days advised. LSMGO supply has resumed in Durban after recent supply shortages. Lead times of 7-10 days are recommended for the grade.

Rough weather may cause bunkering delays in Durban on Wednesday with wind gusts of up to 30 knots forecast in the area. Bunkering in the area is typically halted when gusts exceed 35 knots and if visibility is low due to heavy rain, a source said. 

Meanwhile, supply pressures have eased in Mauritius’ Port Louis, a trader said. Suppliers are now able to offer prompt delivery dates for all grades. The port had previously faced tight supplies with lead times extending up to ten days until last week.

By Manjula Nair

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 7 November, 2024

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