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ENGINE: Global Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

VLSFO tighter in Singapore; HSFO380 tighter in Fujairah; ARA LSMGO still tight; Gibraltar Strait suppliers almost clear backlogs; all grades tighter across major US ports.
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ENGINE Global Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook image for Manifold Times

The following update regarding global bunker fuel availability has been provided by online marine fuels procurement platform ENGINE for publication on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

24 December, 2021

  • VLSFO tighter in Singapore
  • HSFO380 tighter in Fujairah
  • ARA gasoil stocks recover from seven-year lows, LSMGO still tight
  • Gibraltar Strait suppliers almost clear backlogs
  • All grades tighter across major US ports


Singapore and Fujairah

VLSFO availability remains especially tight in Singapore owing to higher bunker demand leading up to Christmas and New Year holidays and limited cargo inflows.

Recommended lead time for VLSFO in Singapore remain 12-14 days out, while LSMGO lead times are at 5-7 days. HSFO380 availability at the port remains tight with suggested lead times of 10-12 days.

Singapore’s fuel oil stocks were steady on the week, keeping below their five-year average for the year, according to Enterprise Singapore figures. The city state’s net fuel oil imports have declined by 21% on a weekly average so far in December compared to November, and were down 7% in the most recent week.

HSFO380 has tightened in in Fujairah, pushing recommended lead times to two weeks out now. Availability may have been affected by more limited access to blend stocks and lower fuel oil production capping available cargo volumes, a source says, adding that the tightness might not ease until January.

Fujairah’s HSFO380 price flipped to a narrow premium over Singapore on Monday, and has since widened that premium.

Fujairah’s lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO grades are shorter at eight days.

Europe

Suppliers have been working through bunker backlogs in Gibraltar Strait ports this week, following several days of weather suspensions that lasted into last weekend.

Gibraltar’s bunker congestion keeps easing. The number of vessels lined up to bunker came down to seven on Thursday, from 12 yesterday and a peak of 34 on Monday, port agent MH Bland said. The remaining vessels are mostly waiting to bunker with one supplier that was 18-20 hours delayed after weather suspensions towards the end of last week.

Suppliers in Algeciras and Ceuta had all but cleared their bunker backlogs by Thursday. Only slight delays remained.

Intermittent periods of strong winds and swells forecast for Saturday and Monday could disrupt bunkering again in the Gibraltar Strait.

Suppliers in ARA and Gibraltar Strait ports typically need 2-3 days of lead time to accommodate stems of all grades. Longer lead times should be considered now as upcoming holidays have prompted buyers to secure stems a bit earlier.

LSMGO is tight for days a week out with certain suppliers in the ARA. This follows a drawdown of the region’s independent gasoil stocks since September. Gasoil stocks slumped to their lowest level since 2014 last week, before regaining 2% of volume this week, Insights Global data showed.

ARA’s fuel oil stocks also recovered from a five-year low by gaining 5% in the past week.

US

VLSFO availability is tight for prompt dates in the Houston area. HSFO380 and LSMGO grades are also tight for dates further ahead. Bunkering schedules have been filling up for locations across the US Gulf Coast and offshore.

Gulf Coast refineries have only produced about half as much fuel oil on a daily average this month as in November. That has contributed to draw the region’s stocks down to five-week lows, according to Energy Information Administration (EIA) data.

East Coast refiners have gradually produced less and less fuel oil in December and inventories have slumped to their lowest point since regional records began in 1990. West Coast production has been reduced in each month since a high in July. The region’s inventories hit one-year lows at the beginning of December, but have since regained some weight.

Fuel oil grades are also tight in major East Coast and West Coast ports. HSFO380 is particularly tight in New York, Los Angeles, Long Beach and San Francisco.

US fuel oil inventories fell to fresh all-time lows in the most recent week. A sharp drop in fuel oil production on the Gulf Coast in December has only been partly compensated for with higher imports and contributed to draw down inventories.

 

Photo credit: ENGINE
Published: 24 December, 2021

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Technology

Singapore: MPA working with industry on next phase of digital bunkering, says Deputy CE

‘We are now working with industry on the next phase, trialling capabilities to further strengthen the integrity and quality of bunker data shared between stakeholders and MPA,’ says David Foo.

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Secure systems, trusted data and reliable digital services are becoming as important to maritime operations as physical infrastructure, said Mr David Foo, Deputy Chief Executive (Operations & Technology), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), on Thursday (10 September). 

In his opening keynote speech at APPEC 2026 Shipping And Bunker Conference, Foo said OCEANS-X, Digital Bunkering and the Maritime Digital Twin are enabling trusted data sharing, better operational planning and the testing of new digital solutions.

Foo said since 2025, digital bunkering has strengthened the efficiency and transparency of bunker operations. 

“We are now working with industry on the next phase, trialling capabilities to further strengthen the integrity and quality of bunker data shared between stakeholders and MPA.” he said.

He also said MPA is taking a forward-looking approach to the energy transition.

“Over the coming decades, we are likely to see the most diverse marine fuel mix in shipping’s history. There may not be a single fuel of the future.”

“Our role as a global bunkering hub is therefore not to determine which fuel will prevail. Our role is to ensure that whichever fuels the industry adopts, Singapore is ready – with the infrastructure, standards and operational capabilities to support them.”

Foo said MPA is making concrete progress across the major alternative fuel pathways with the issuance of methanol bunkering licences and the commencement of methanol bunkering operations. 

“For ammonia, we are developing the regulatory and operational frameworks needed to support future commercial deployment. We are also facilitating greater use of sustainable biofuels,” he said.

At the same time, MPA continues to expand its LNG bunkering ecosystem, with additional licences issued this year. 

“This will broaden supply options as more LNG-fuelled vessels enter the global fleet. We have also just updated our LNG standards, while maintaining the high standards of safety and reliability that underpin Singapore’s reputation as a trusted bunkering hub,” Foo added.

Related: MPA Chief Executive: Port of Singapore begins digital bunkering initiative today
Related: Singapore: Golden Island, GET, and PetroChina to receive methanol bunkering licences
Related: Singapore: Equatorial Marine Fuel among eight selected for new LNG bunkering licences
Related: Singapore strengthens LNG bunkering framework with new SS 727 standard

 

Photo credit: Swapnil Bapat on Unsplash
Published: 10 September, 2026

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Financial Result

Singapore-based Uni-Fuels H1 2026 net income jumps 1,415% to USD 1.4 million

Company delivered record first-half financial results, achieving its highest first-half revenue, gross profit, income from operations, net income and EBITDA since its inception.
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Uni-Fuels Holdings Limited (Uni-Fuels), a global provider of marine fuel solutions headquartered in Singapore, on Wednesday (9 September) announced its unaudited interim financial results for the first half of 2026, ending on 30 June.

The company delivered record first-half financial results, achieving its highest first-half revenue, gross profit, income from operations, net income and EBITDA since its inception.

The company’s net income increased 1,415% to USD 1.4 million for the first half of 2026, compared to USD 0.1 million in the corresponding period of 2025.

Revenue increased 72% year-over-year to USD 197.1 million, from USD 114.6 million in the corresponding period of 2025 while gross profit also increased 158% year-over-year to USD 5.3 million, from USD 2.1 million in the corresponding period of 2025.

Gross profit margin expanded to 2.7% in the first half of 2026, from 1.8% in the corresponding period of 2025, representing a 50% improvement. 

For its 2026 outlook, the company is raising its full-year 2026 revenue guidance to a range of USD 340 million to USD 360 million, from its previous guidance range of USD 320 million to USD 340 million, reflecting stronger-than-expected first-half performance and continued commercial momentum.

Koh Kuan Hua, Chief Executive Officer of Uni-Fuels, said: “Our first-half 2026 results demonstrate the strength of our commercial execution and the agility of our business model.” 

“As geopolitical developments and market volatility continued to influence global oil markets, we remained focused on delivering reliable supply solutions and value-added services to our customers. 

“Our ability to respond quickly to changing market dynamics while maintaining disciplined execution contributed to significant improvements in revenue, profitability and operating performance. 

“We believe this momentum positions us well for the remainder of the year, as reflected in our increased full-year 2026 revenue guidance of USD 340 million to USD 360 million.”

 

Photo credit: Uni-Fuels
Published: 10 September, 2026

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Incident

Peninsula confirms one fatality, crew member missing from bunker tanker “Hercules Star”

Firm says one member of the crew is missing following an incident whilst at anchorage off Dubai and a specialist team is working to locate them.

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September 10, 2026

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bunker tanker Hercules Star

Marine fuels supplier Peninsula on Wednesday (9 September) confirmed that its bunker tanker Hercules Star was involved in an incident whilst at anchorage off Dubai.

“It is with deep sadness and regret that we confirm one fatality. Peninsula is in contact with their family and providing all the necessary support at this time,” the company said in a statement.

“In addition, one member of the crew is missing and a specialist team is working to locate them. All other crew members are accounted for.”

The company added it is working with all relevant parties to monitor developments.

“This is an ongoing incident and updates will be issued in due course when we have more details,” Peninsula added. 

According to a Reuters report citing preliminary assessments by maritime security sources, the vessel may have been struck by a drone.

The report also said the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) received a report of a vessel listing while at anchor about 24 nautical miles off the UAE’s Port Rashid, with the condition “possibly indicating water ingress following an attack from an unknown projectile”.

 

Photo credit: Peninsula
Published: 10 September, 2026

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