Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe and Africa Fuel Availability Outlook (29 July 2026)

Prompt fuel availability is tight in ARA; slight port congestion seen in Gibraltar; VLSFO requires needs notice of 5-7 days off Algoa Bay.

Published

2 months ago

July 30, 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:

Prompt fuel availability is tight in ARA
Slight port congestion seen in Gibraltar
VLSFO requires needs notice of 5-7 days off Algoa Bay

Northwest Europe

Fuel availability is tight for prompt delivery dates in the ARA, and buyers are recommended lead times between 5-7 days to secure supplies, a trader said.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 3% higher so far in July, compared to June’s monthly average, according to Insights Global data.

The ARA hub has imported only 134,000 b/d of fuel oil in July so far, a sharp drop from June’s monthly average of 215,000 b/d, according to Vortexa cargo data. Shipments originated from Syria, France (21%) and Colombia (17%) among other countries.

The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have dropped by 6% in July, compared to June, according to the Insights Global data.

The region has imported 126,000 b/d of gasoil in July so far, down significantly from 188,000 b/d imported in June, according to Vortexa data. Most of these shipments have come from Sweden (17%), the UK (16%) and Canada (13%).

Bunker availability is normal in Germany’s Hamburg, and all fuel grades can be delivered within five days, a trader told ENGINE.

Off Denmark’s Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, bunker fuel availability is tight, and fuel buyers are advised booking deliveries around 10 days ahead for any fuel grade, according to a trader.

Mediterranean

Those looking to bunker in the Gibraltar Strait ports are recommended to book stems around 5-7 days ahead, a trader said.

There are 13 vessels awaiting bunkers at Gibraltar, and some suppliers are running around 6-10 hours behind schedule on deliveries, port agent MH Bland said.

Buyers can secure deliveries in Barcelona with a lead time of seven days, a trader said.

In Las Palmas, buyers are advised lead times of 10–12 days for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries, a trader told ENGINE.

VLSFO fuel availability is tight off Malta, with lead times of around seven days recommended, a trader said. ULSFO availability is also tight, while it is possible to get prompt deliveries of LSMGO, the trader added.

VLSFO availability is tight in Istanbul, and suppliers are recommended booking with lead times of between 5-7 days, a trader said. LSMGO is available more promptly in the port, the trader added.

Africa

HSFO availability remains limited across most African ports, a trader told ENGINE.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains tight in Lome and off Walvis Bay for prompt supplies, with buyers advised to book seven days ahead, a trader told ENGINE.

VLSFO deliveries at the Lagos anchorage requires 5–7 days of notice, a local supplier told ENGINE.

Prompt VLSFO availability is tight off Algoa Bay, with buyers advised at least 5–7 days of notice, a trader said.

VLSFO availability remains tight in Nacala and Maputo, where suppliers recommend lead times of around 5–7 days, a trader said.

Bunker availability is tight in Port Louis, with buyers advised booking VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries seven days ahead, a trader said.

By Nachiket Tekawade

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 30 July, 2026

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Bunker Fuel

JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (August 2026)

China sold 1.61 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in August, with the daily sales at 51,974 mt, down by 9.62% month on month, JLC’s data shows.

Published

3 days ago

September 11, 2026

Admin

Beijing-based commodity market information provider JLC Network Technology Co. recently shared its JLC China Bunker monthly report for August 2026 with Manifold Times through an exclusive arrangement:

Bunker Fuel Demand

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales decline in August

China sold 1.61 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in August, with the daily sales at 51,974 mt, down by 9.62% month on month, JLC’s data shows.

Typhoons continued in many regions in August, and some ports in East China even suspended bunkering temporarily.

Meanwhile, bonded bunker fuel supply at some domestic ports remained tight, which also dragged down the sales.

Shipowners were still cautious about bunkering as bonded bunker fuel prices remained on the rise.

Regarding the sales by supplier, the sales by Chimbusco, Sinopec (Zhoushan), SinoBunker, and China Changjiang Bunker (Sinopec) respectively settled at 315,000 mt, 620,000 mt, 57,000 mt, and 5,000 mt in the month, while those by suppliers with regional bunkering licenses settled at 614,200 mt.

China’s LSFO output drops in August

Chinese refiners produced about 1.12 million mt of low-sulfur fuel oil (LSFO) in August, with the daily output at 36,258 mt, a cut of 12.87% month on month, JLC’s data shows.

Specifically, Sinopec’s LSFO output slipped in the month, as refineries were more inclined to produce gasoline and diesel when cracking spreads of these two products increased.

Meanwhile, certain refineries were still under maintenance, which also capped the overall output.

PetroChina lowered its refineries’ LSFO production plans due to tightening export quotas.

By contrast, CNOOC recorded an increase in its output, with T aizhou Petrochemical resuming production.

Zhoushan Petrochemical did not produce any LSFO in the month.

ZPC and Sinochem did not produce any LSFO in the month, but the latter produced and exported 10,000 mt of marine gas oil (MGO).

Screenshot 2026 09 11 at 1.38.01 PM

Screenshot 2026 09 11 at 1.38.09 PM

Domestic-trade bunker fuel demand weakens in August

Domestic-trade bunker fuel demand continued to weaken in August, as inland and coastal shipping remained seasonally tepid and port operations in East China were hindered by severe weather.

Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand settled at 270,000 mt in the month, with the daily demand at 8,710 mt, down by 10.00% month on month, JLC’s data shows.

In the meantime, domestic-trade light bunker fuel demand fell to 120,000 mt, with the daily volume at 3,871 mt, down by 14.29% from the prior month, the data shows. Downstream buying interest was depressed by high MGO prices.

Bunker Fuel Supply

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports increase in July

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports increased in July, as some bonded distributors resumed imports of LSFO after a three-month suspension.

The country imported 530,400 mt of bonded bunker fuel in the month, a modest boost of 2.93% month on month, calculations show, based on the GACC data.

Bonded bunker suppliers imported some LSFO to meet demand when domestic production retreated.

In addition, they increased purchases of imported high-sulfur fuel oil (HSFO) in June when the conflict between the U.S. and Iran eased, leading to a rise in the arrivals for July.

The arrivals of imported MGO also grew in July.

On a year-on-year comparison, however, China’s bonded bunker fuel imports plunged by 17.54% in July.

Regarding the imports by source, Russia remained the largest supplier by exporting 234,600 mt of bonded bunker fuel to China, accounting for 44.23% of the latter’s total imports. Singapore became the second largest supplier with 153,800 mt, accounting for 29.00%, while South Korea slipped to the third place with 81,100 mt, accounting for 15.30%. Japan ranked fourth with 60,800 mt, accounting for 11.47%.

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports totaled 3.91 million mt in the first seven months of this year, an increase of 1.68% from the same period of time in 2025, calculations also indicate.

Screenshot 2026 09 11 at 1.38.32 PM

Domestic-trade bunker fuel supply tightens in August

Chinese blenders supplied 250,000 mt of domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel in August, with the daily supply at 8,065 mt, down by 7.41% month on month, JLC’s data shows.

Despite some unit restarts, blendstock supply was still relatively tight, especially low-sulfur residual oil supply .

Meanwhile, blenders in North China showed lower blending interest amid stricter tax inspections, and they maintained low inventories of consumption-tax-included bunker fuel.

Domestic-trade MGO supply settled at 150,000 mt in August, with the daily supply at 4,839 mt, down by 11.76% month on month, the data shows. Refineries’ production enthusiasm was dampened by high feedstock costs and tight feedstock supply.

Screenshot 2026 09 11 at 1.38.47 PM

Bunker Prices, Profits

Screenshot 2026 09 11 at 1.39.27 PM

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Sales (Beijing)
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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.

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: 11 September, 2026

Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Americas Fuel Availability Outlook (10 Sep 2026)

Steady bunker demand in New York; Los Angeles demand ticks up; availability tight in Rio de Janeiro.

Published

3 days ago

September 11, 2026

Admin

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:

Steady bunker demand in New York
Los Angeles demand ticks up
Availability tight in Rio de Janeiro

North America

Bunker demand in Houston has been good over the past week, and availability for all three conventional grades is okay, a trader said.

Prompt HSFO supply is a bit tight, with recommended lead times of around seven days. VLSFO and LSMGO can be delivered within 3-5 days.

Availability is good at the anchorage of the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA). Suppliers there can offer HSFO and LSMGO in around 4-6 days, while VLSFO requires around 5-6 days of notice.

No major weather disruption is expected at the anchorage this week. Deliveries are being carried out on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to weather conditions.

All three grades are available in New Orleans, Louisiana (NOLA), where steady demand has kept recommended lead times at 6-7 days, a trader tells ENGINE. At least one supplier can deliver HSFO and VLSFO in under five days, though stems may take about a week, depending on the size of the enquiry, a source said.

Weather is not expected to disrupt operations this week, and the port is running clear of backlogs.

New York has seen steady demand for HSFO and VLSFO, while LSMGO offtake has dropped off slightly from the past few weeks.

Availability is decent across the grades, with HSFO requiring lead times of 5-7 days, VLSFO around 4 days, and LSMGO mostly available within 2-3 days.

High wind gusts could disrupt bunkering in New York until 10 September, with winds of up to 23 knots forecast before easing tomorrow. No backlog or barge congestion has been reported so far, a source said.

On the US West Coast, bunker demand at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach has picked up this week. Suppliers can offer LSMGO and VLSFO within 4-7 days, while HSFO requires 5-7 days.

Demand in Vancouver is normal, with suppliers recommending lead times of 3-4 days for VLSFO and LSMGO. HSFO can take a little longer, but most deliveries this week have been possible in under seven days, a source said.

Latin America and the Caribbean

The Panama market is seeing good demand. At key ports such as Balboa and Cristobal, HSFO and VLSFO are available on lead times of 5-6 days, while LSMGO can be supplied within 3-4 days.

No weather disruption is expected in Balboa this week, where deliveries are done on a first come, first served basis and priority goes to vessels holding confirmed transit schedules.

The Colombian ports of Cartagena, Santa Marta and Barranquilla are all holding good stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, with the earliest delivery dates falling between 3-5 days, a trader said.

In the Caribbean, high wind gusts could impact bunker deliveries in St. Eustatius between 9-12 September, with gusts of up to 24 knots forecast. Deliveries there are done at anchorage, and cruise ships take priority, a source said.

High seas could disrupt offshore bunkering in Trinidad over the same period, with waves of up to 1.6m forecast. Deliveries in the region are carried out while underway.

HSFO supply is tight in Callao, where the grade is offered under prior consultation, and requires lead times of over a week. VLSFO and LSMGO are more readily available, at 5-7 days, a trader said.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Brazil’s Santos, with recommended lead times of 5-7 days, though the port remains congested.

Supply is tight for both the grades in Rio de Janeiro and Paranagua, where they are offered under prior consultation and require 8-10 days.

Rio Grande can deliver VLSFO within 5-7 days, but no LSMGO availability has been reported there. Both grades are available in Belem and Vila do Conde on lead times of 5-7 days.

Zona Comun has good availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, with both grades deliverable in 5-7 days. High wind gusts could disrupt bunkering there between 11-12 September, with gusts of up to 25 knots forecast, which could lead to suspension of operations.

By Gautamee Hazarika

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 11 September, 2026

Bunker Fuel Availability

Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook (9 Sep 2026)

Prompt fuel availability remains tight in ARA; Gibraltar faces congestion due to barge availability issues; lead times of 10-14 days advised in Port Louis.

Published

4 days ago

September 10, 2026

Admin

Prompt fuel availability remains tight in ARA
Gibraltar faces congestion due to barge availability issues
Lead times of 10-14 days advised in Port Louis

Northwest Europe

Fuel availability in ARA is tight for prompt deliveries, with buyers advised lead times between 5-7 days for most fuel grades, a trader told ENGINE. Fuel demand in the region is getting better compared to previous weeks, a trader said.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 15% higher in September so far compared to August’s monthly average, according to Insights Global data.

The ARA hub has imported around 276,000 b/d of fuel oil in September so far, down from August’s monthly average of around 342,000 b/d, according to Vortexa cargo flows data. Most shipments came from Mexico (51%), Poland (23%) and Finland (13%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have held broadly steady in September so far, remaining mostly unchanged from August, according to the Insights Global data. Gasoil inventories remain near their lowest level in four years.

The region has imported around 271,000 b/d of gasoil in September so far, up from an average of around 155,000 b/d imported in August, according to Vortexa data. Netherlands (74%) and Belgium (26%) supplied the cargos.

Bunker fuel availability is normal in Germany’s Hamburg port, a trader told ENGINE. Buyers are recommended lead times of five days to get delivery of any fuel grade.

Fuel availability remains tight off Denmark’s Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, with buyers advised a notice of 10-14 days for any fuel grade, a trader said.

Mediterranean

Marine fuel availability at ports in the Gibraltar Strait is tight for prompt deliveries, and buyers are advised lead times of 10-12 days out to get good coverage, a trader told ENGINE.

Ships visiting Gibraltar for bunkering are facing congestion. Around 24 vessels are awaiting supplies, as of Wednesday morning, mostly due to unavailability of bunker barges and lack of space, port agent MH Bland said.

Some suppliers in Algeciras are delayed by between 6-24 hours, the port agent added.

In Barcelona, buyers should book supplies at least a week before deliveries, a trader told ENGINE.

Fuel availability is tight in Las Palmas for prompt supplies, with buyers recommended lead times of around 10-12 days to avoid high premiums, a trader told ENGINE.

Fuel availability in the offshore Malta is tight for prompt supplies, with buyers advised around 5-7 days of lead times to secure fuel at competitive prices, a trader told ENGINE.

Fuel availability is tight in Greece’s Piraeus for prompt supplies, with buyers recommended lead times of seven days for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO, while ULSFO supplies need a five-day notice, a trader said. Increased demand from cruises could be tightening availability in the Greek port.

Fuel availability is stable in Turkey’s Istanbul, with all grades available with a notice of 1-3 days, a trader said.

Africa

In Senagal’s Dakar, fuel availability is normal, and VLSFO and LSMGO is available more promptly, a supplier said.

In Togo’s Lome, fuel availability is tight for prompt supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO, with buyers advised lead times of a week to secure deliveries of both grades, a trader told ENGINE.

VLSFO remains available in Angola’s Luanda, a supplier told ENGINE. LSMGO availability is stable, with a notice of 3-4 days sufficient, the supplier added.

Off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, fuel availability is tight for prompt supplies, with buyers advised lead times of 5-7 days to get deliveries of VLSFO and LSMGO, a trader told ENGINE.

In Nigeria’s Lagos anchorage, prompt fuel availability is tight, and buyers are advised lead times of 5-7 days, a local supplier said.

In South Africa’s Durban, prompt fuel supplies of all three grades are tight, a trader said. Buyers are advised a week’s notice for any fuel grade.

Bunker availability is very tight in Mauritius’ Port Louis, with suppliers advised lead times of between 10-14 days to secure VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries, a trader said.

In the Mozambican ports of Nacala and Maputo, VLSFO supplies remain tight for prompt supplies and need lead times of a week, a trader told ENGINE.

HSFO availability remains limited across ports in Africa.

By Nachiket Tekawade

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 10 September, 2026