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ENGINE: Global Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (31 December 2025)

HSFO supply remains tight in Singapore; bunker availability tight in Gibraltar; VLSFO and LSMGO supply improves in Santos.
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RESIZED ENGINE GLOBAL

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

  • HSFO supply remains tight in Singapore
  • Bunker availability tight in Gibraltar
  • VLSFO and LSMGO supply improves in Santos

East of Suez

Despite sluggish bunker demand, suppliers in Singapore are recommending lead times of about 4–6 days for VLSFO. LSMGO availability remains comfortable, with shorter lead times of around three days advised, while HSFO supply is tight and requires much longer advance notice of 9–10 days.

In Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO remain readily available, especially for smaller prompt stems, while HSFO availability continues to be limited.

In Zhoushan, suppliers are advising lead times of 4–7 days for small parcels across all grades. Larger stems above 1,500 mt need slightly longer windows of 6–10 days. By comparison, last week VLSFO and LSMGO required 4–6 days, while HSFO needed 5–7 days.

Across Taiwan, suppliers in Keelung and Hualien can typically deliver VLSFO and LSMGO within two days, unchanged from last week. Taichung and Kaohsiung require slightly longer lead times of around three days. Notably, 1 January 2026 is a holiday in Taiwan, meaning no bunker orders can be placed, though deliveries will proceed as usual, according to state-owned CPC Corporation.

Bunker availability is good across all grades in South Korea, where suppliers are recommending lead times of 4–6 days. However, winter weather could cause disruptions: Busan, Ulsan and Daesan may face disruptions from 31 December to 5 January, while bunker operations at Yeosu could be affected from 1–5 January.

In Japan, availability of all grades is extremely tight because of low inventories and widespread barge congestion. Affected ports include Tokyo, Chiba, Kawasaki, Yokohama, Osaka, Kobe, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Mizushima and Tokuyama, a trader said.

For deliveries in early January, suppliers are expected to offer stems in Tokyo Bay around 9–10 January, while congestion at other ports is likely to persist until mid-January.

Rough weather is forecast in Colombo from 4–5 January, which could disrupt bunker deliveries.

In Fujairah, prompt bunker supply remains tight across all grades, with several suppliers facing constrained delivery schedules. Similar conditions persist in the nearby Khor Fakkan port. Adverse weather conditions could further impact operations at both ports.

Bunker supply in Oman’s ports – Sohar, Salalah, Muscat and Duqm – remains stable, with suppliers consistently offering prompt LSMGO deliveries. However, adverse weather is forecast in Sohar and Salalah on Wednesday, which could affect operations.

Europe and Africa

Fuel availability in the ARA hub remains tight for prompt deliveries, with buyers advised to enquire around 5-7 days in advance for all fuel grades to secure competitive offers from a wider range of suppliers, a trader told ENGINE.

From 1 January 2026, suppliers in Dutch ports will be covered under the country’s new domestic regulations that implement EU’s RED III rules. This is expected to increase bunker costs as suppliers pass on related compliance expenses.

Separately, the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp will require all bunker deliveries to be made by certified mass flow meter (MFM)-equipped barges from 1 January 2026.

Prompt bunker deliveries are also tight in the Gibraltar Strait, where a minimum lead time of around one week is recommended, the trader added.

Congestion in Gibraltar has eased slightly, with around nine vessels waiting for bunkers at the port on Wednesday morning, down from 15 vessels on Tuesday. Suppliers are working to clear the backlog, but most are running 10-48 hours behind schedule, port agent MH Bland said.

Around 35 vessels are expected to call at Gibraltar for bunkers between 31 December- 5 January, according to shipping agent A Mateos & Sons.

Off Malta, some suppliers can deliver LSMGO at the earliest by 5–6 January, while VLSFO supply remains tight and only one supplier is currently offering HSFO, a trader told ENGINE. ULSFO supply remains normal, the trader added.

Suppliers in Durban are recommending lead times of seven days for HSFO deliveries, while VLSFO can be supplied with 2-4 days, a trader said. 

Americas

Bunker fuel demand in Houston remains steady even as adverse weather continues to impact operations in the US Gulf Coast. Lead times for all three grades are currently between 3–7 days.

With the region now in its fog season, delays and intermittent channel closures caused by reduced visibility are expected in the months ahead until March.

From 1 January, a safety guideline change will permit nighttime transits for containerships, LPG carriers and widebody tankers at the port, a ship agent said.

A gale warning is currently in effect in New York, with high wind gusts occasionally reaching up to 40 knots. Demand for HSFO and VLSFO is normal in the port, with recommended lead times between 5-7 days this week. For LSMGO deliveries, most suppliers are recommending lead times of roughly three days.

In Brazil, VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains normal in Santos, with lead times of around 5–8 days.

Across Rio de Janeiro both grades are tight and need over a week of lead time for delivery.

VLSFO and LSMGO grades are available in Rio Grande, Belém and Vila do Conde, with deliveries possible with recommended lead times of 4–5 days.

At OPL Sepetiba, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies have been replenished, and the earliest delivery date is 7 January, according to sources.

In Salvador, the earliest supply for both grades is between 2–4 January.

In Paranaguá, VLSFO can be supplied within 4–5 days, while LSMGO remains unavailable.

Meanwhile, Itaqui has good availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO, with deliveries possible from 6-7 January.

In Zona Común, weather conditions continue to support bunker operations. But over the weekend, deliveries could be suspended by high wind gusts at the anchorage.

VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries require lead times of around 5–8 days in Zona Común.

By Tuhin Roy, Nachiket Tekawade and Gautamee Hazarika

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 2 January, 2026

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Bunker Fuel

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales drops by 6.8% on year in May 2026

4.55 million mt of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in May, down from 4.88 million mt recorded during the similar month in 2025, according to MPA data.

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June 15, 2026

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Singapore: Bunker fuel sales drops by 6.8% on year in May 2026

Sales of marine fuel at Singapore port dropped by 6.8% on year in May 2026, according to data from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

In total, 4.55 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,548,000 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in May, down from 4.88 million mt (4,878,100 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2025.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in May (against on year) recorded respectively 1.79 million mt (-5.3% from 1.89 million mt), 2.29 million mt (-6.5% from 2.45 million mt), zero (-100% from 1,200 mt), 600 (35.2% from 1,700 mt) and zero (from zero).

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales drops by 6.8% on year in May 2026

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in May, (against on year) recorded respectively 11,600 mt (-71.6% from 40,900 mt), 36,400 mt (-62.1% from 96,100 mt), zero (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from zero). B100 biofuel bunkers, introduced in February last year, recorded 12,800 mt (+573.7% from 1,900 mt). 

LNG and methanol sales were 70,300 mt (+56.2% from 45,000 mt) and zero (from zero) respectively. There were no recorded sales of ammonia for the month and so far since 2025.

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 15 June, 2026

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Bunker Fuel Quality

Bunker flash: High concentrations of catalytic fines, elevated acid numbers found in Singapore

Maritec-Naias issued an alert regarding high levels of catalytic fines and elevated acid numbers present in multiple VLSFO bunker samples from deliveries in the Singapore port.

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June 15, 2026

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RESIZED Hans Reniers on Unsplash

Bunker fuel testing and marine surveying business Maritec-Naias on Friday (12 June) issued an alert regarding high levels of catalytic fines and elevated acid numbers present in multiple VLSFO bunker samples from deliveries in the Singapore port: 

During the period of 20 May 2026 and 02 June 2026, Maritec Pte. Ltd. (hereafter referred to as Maritec-Naias) conducted testing on five samples representing Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) deliveries from two suppliers in the Singapore port. The analyses revealed Aluminium and Silicon (Al+Si) concentrations ranging from 61 mg/kg to 68 mg/kg.

It is important to note; these values exceed the ISO 8217:2010/2017 specification limit of 60 ppm but remain within the permissible tolerance limit of 72 ppm under ISO 4259 for a single test result. In this regard, Catalytic Fines content, (Aluminium+Silicon), above 60 ppm is regarded as high. Of the five samples, three originated from one supplier, while the remaining two were from another.

Aluminium and Silicon constitute the principal classes of abrasive solids in fuels. Elevated concentrations of such particles at the engine inlet can precipitate abnormal wear and tear of fuel system components, piston rings, and cylinder liners. To safeguard against this, many engine manufacturers stipulate a maximum threshold of 15 mg/kg Al+Si at the engine inlet.

The primary method of mitigating Catfines is through an efficiently operating fuel purification system. Monitoring Aluminium and Silicon levels both before and after centrifugation provides a reliable measure of the system’s effectiveness in removing these contaminants.

During a similar period, Maritec-Naias also tested fifteen bunker fuel samples representing VLSFO that exhibited elevated Acid Numbers, ranging from 2.0 mg KOH/g to 2.5 mg KOH/g. While these values remain within specification limits, they are nonetheless considered at higher side. Elevated Acid Numbers may stem from contamination with acidic compounds such as Phenolic compounds and Alkyl Resorcinols, often associated with Estonian Shale Oil. Such contaminants can lead to operational complications including sludge formation, fuel pump seizures, and compromised injection equipment cleanliness.

Maritec-Naias Recommendations

  • High Catfines monitoring: Maritec-Naias advises collecting samples at critical points within the fuel system — including the fuel oil tank transfer pump, before and after centrifuge, service tank, and after fine-filter — to evaluate the efficiency of fuel cleaning.
  • Elevated Acid Numbers: For fuels with elevated Acid Numbers, Maritec-Naias recommends conducting Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) using the Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) method to identify the specific acidic compounds present or upgrading your marine fuel testing package to MFTP Plus, which enables pre-emptive monitoring to detect major harmful substances prevalent in the market, such as Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL), Phenolic compounds and Alkyl Resorcinols that cause damage to equipment.

Maritec-Naias states, while all data and findings presented in this document are true, it does not reflect on the overall quality of fuel being supplied in Singapore region. If you intend to bunker at this region, please request for a Certificate of Quality (CoQ) prior to loading.

 

Photo credit: Hans Reniers on Unsplash
Published: 15 June, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

Hong Kong expands support for alternative bunker fuels with new vessel incentives

Port Dues Incentive Scheme for Green Maritime Fuel-related Vessels and the Green Vessels Registration Incentive Scheme will be launched on 16 June for a period of three years.

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June 15, 2026

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Hong Kong

The Marine Department (MD) on Friday (12 June) announced that the Port Dues Incentive Scheme for Green Maritime Fuel-related Vessels and the Green Vessels Registration Incentive Scheme will be launched on 16 June for a period of three years, with a view to encouraging more vessels to bunker green maritime fuels in Hong Kong and accelerating the green transformation of the Hong Kong fleet.

To leverage the trend of decarbonisation in the international shipping industry, the Government has committed in the Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering promulgated in November 2024 the provision of various financial incentives to help lower the cost of transitioning to green maritime fuels by the maritime industry and expedite the development of Hong Kong as a green port. 

In this year’s Budget, the Government has allocated approximately $34 million to implement relevant initiatives, including providing port dues concessions for vessels powered by green maritime fuels as well as those carrying green maritime fuels, and offering incentives for green fuel-powered vessels registered in Hong Kong.

The Port Dues Incentive Scheme for Green Maritime Fuel-related Vessels provides concessions for green maritime fuel-related vessels, including ocean-going vessels (OGVs) powered by or bunkering specified green maritime fuels in Hong Kong, and OGVs carrying green maritime fuels for supply in Hong Kong. 

Specified green maritime fuels covered under the Scheme refer to liquefied natural gas (LNG), methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, and bio-diesel (blended with at least 20% bio-fuel). Eligible OGVs conducting specified operation(s) throughout their stay in Hong Kong may apply for a reimbursement of their port dues (including port facilities and light dues, anchorage dues, buoy dues and fees for port clearance permits) paid in accordance with the Shipping and Port Control Regulations (Cap. 313A). The amount of the incentive is equivalent to 25% or 50% of the port dues paid.

Eligible shipowners or their agents must submit the application form together with the required supporting documents to the MD within three months of their vessels’ completion of the above operation(s) in and departure from Hong Kong. The approved incentive amount will generally be disbursed within 30 working days. The amounts of incentives applicable to different types of OGVs are set out in the Annex.

A spokesman for the MD, said: “Following the launch of the Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering Incentive Scheme last year, the new initiative further provides incentives to encourage the industry to adopt green maritime fuels, which are often more expensive than traditional fuels, and to build up demand for green maritime fuel bunkering services in Hong Kong early. 

“This will in turn attract other players in the green maritime fuel bunkering supply chain, such as bunker suppliers, bunker operators and traders, to establish and expand their operations in Hong Kong. We expect this scheme to attract more than 1,000 visits to Hong Kong by green maritime fuel-related vessels.”

Meanwhile, the Green Vessels Registration Incentive Scheme provides incentives to green fuel-powered vessels currently or newly registered in the Hong Kong Shipping Registry (HKSR), thereby attracting and retaining the registration of green vessels in Hong Kong.

Under the scheme, all Hong Kong-registered ships that use green maritime fuels as their primary propulsion fuel, which include LNG, methanol, ammonia and hydrogen but exclude conventional fuels and biofuels, will be eligible to apply. 

During the three-year period of the scheme, each eligible vessel will be provided with a subsidy of HKD 60,000 once every year, and may enjoy one or at most three years’ incentives depending on the timing and duration that the vessel is registered with the HKSR. 

Each vessel is eligible to receive a maximum subsidy of HKD 180,000. Approval and disbursement of the incentives will take approximately three months from the receipt of an application with all required supporting documents. The vessel’s Hong Kong registration status must be maintained on the date the incentive is disbursed. 

The spokesman, said: “This scheme will encourage vessels using green maritime fuels to register in Hong Kong and promote the green transformation of the Hong Kong fleet, which will further enhance the overall competitiveness of the HKSR. We estimate that this scheme will attract approximately 100 vessels powered by green maritime fuels to register with the HKSR. Alongside the vessels powered by green maritime fuels currently registered in Hong Kong, we expect that around 170 such vessels registered in Hong Kong will benefit from the scheme within three years of implementation.”

Note: For details of the Port Dues Incentive Scheme for Green Maritime Fuel-related Vessels and the Green Vessels Registration Incentive Scheme, visit the MD’s webpages (www.mardep.gov.hk/filemanager/en/share/forms/pdf/md558.pdf ; www.mardep.gov.hk/filemanager/en/share/forms/pdf/md743.pdf).

 

Photo credit: M on Unsplash
Published: 15 June, 2026

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