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ENGINE: Global Fuel Availability Outlook

Singapore’s fuel oil stocks dropped to their lowest levels since late February 2021, data from
Singapore Enterprise showed this week.

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

 

27 August 2021

– Bunker operations restart in Busan & Ulsan

– Shorter lead times in Fujairah

– Zhoushan’s HSFO & VLSFO remain tight

Singapore’s fuel oil stocks dropped to their lowest levels since late February 2021, data from Singapore Enterprise showed this week. Fuel oil inventories fell by 4% on the week to 25 August reaching a six-month low of 21.18 million bbls.

Lead times remain steady for fuel oils in Singapore, with 7-9 days recommended for VLSFO and HSFO supply, while LSMGO continues to be more readily available at 4-5 days ahead.

Singapore’s Hi5 spread has gained $3-4/mt since Monday, averaging at $103/mt. The price difference between HSFO380 and VLSFO is however steady on the week, and before Brent plunged to monthly lows of $65/bbl.

Typhoon Omais disrupted bunkering operations in South Korea’s southern coast ports on Monday this week, bringing heavy rains and strong winds. The ports of Busan and Ulsan were forced to close on Monday, halting their operations as Typhoon Omais made landfall in southern South Korea.

The weather improved late on Wednesday allowing operations to restart in the two ports, with suppliers working through the backlog. Bunker supply for the rest of August is not ensured, with earliest delivery dates rolling to 1 September in the country’s southern ports for VLSFO.

Western Japanese ports were also affected by Typhoon Omais this week, disrupting bunkering operations in the region. As a result, barge availability has tightened significantly in the country’s western ports with earliest delivery date now being 10 days away.

Bunker fuel availability recently improved in Tokyo Bay with all three fuel grades being readily available. Lead times have now dropped to 4-5 days for HSFO380, VLSFO and LSMGO, compared with 7-8 days recommended in July.  

Japan’s total fuel oil stocks have moderately dropped by 1% on the week, data from the Petroleum Association of Japan showed. The country did not import any fuel oil on the week to 21 August, while HSFO exports surged by 91% to a four-week high of 467,000 bbls. LSFO exports saw a smaller 41,000 bbl rise on the week.

The Meishan terminal at Ningbo-Zhoushan reopened on Wednesday, after it closed down to all inbound and outbound traffic due to a port worker testing positive for Covid-19 in the port two weeks ago. Vessels have started berthing in the terminal as cargo operations have resumed in the port, but with bunkering operations still not allowed in the terminal.

Zhoushan’s HSFO380 and VLSFO remain in tight supply, with replenishment of both expected towards the end of the month. LSMGO is the only fuel grade workable in the Chinese port at the moment.

Fujairah’s lead times have slightly dropped on the week to stand at 7 days now, down from up to 9 days last week.

Fuel oil stocks fell by 11% to their lowest levels since late March, according to data from Fujairah OilIndustry Zone and S&P Global Platts data.

High sulphur fuel oil has tightened in Gibraltar straits ports this week, as there is not enough product available in the market. Two suppliers are advising earliest delivery dates from 2 September onwards, while one could potentially supply on an earlier notice. 3-4 days are recommended for

HSFO380 in the Gibraltar straits to ensure timely delivery. At the same time, HSFO380 seems to be more readily available in Las Palmas, even though one of the two suppliers in the port has been dried out of high sulphur fuel oil.

Bunker fuels remain ample for all three grades in ARA ports, without any supply shortage issues. Three days are still recommended for HSFO380 in the region to ensure timely supply, while low sulphur fuel oils could be procured at shorter notice.

 

Photo credit: ENGINE
Published: 27 August, 2021

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Alternative Fuels

TMD Energy and Double Corporate to negotiate on bioenergy sustainable fuel solutions deal

TMD Energy and bioenergy firm Double Corporate entered into a MoA to explore a strategic collaboration in the business of bioenergy sustainable fuel solutions for Malaysia and global markets.

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Malaysia- and Singapore-based marine fuel bunkering services provider TMD Energy Limited (TMDEL) on Wednesday (18 June) announced the company has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with bioenergy firm Double Corporate Sdn Bhd to explore a strategic collaboration in the business of bioenergy sustainable fuel solutions for Malaysia and global markets. 

The company said this collaboration marks a new milestone towards TMDEL’s strategy to expand into sustainable and alternative fuel energy sectors. The MOA initiates exclusive negotiations to formalise partnerships in bioenergy sustainable fuel solutions and operational integration.

On 21 April, TMDEL, a 65.08%-owned subsidiary of Straits Energy Resources, was listed on the New York Stock Exchange American (NYSE American).

TMDEL and its subsidiaries (TMDEL Group) are principally involved in marine fuel bunkering services specializing in the supply and marketing of marine gas oil and marine fuel oil of which include high sulphur fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil and very low sulphur fuel oil, to ships and vessels at sea. 

TMDEL Group is also involved in the provision of ship management services for in-house and external vessels, as well as vessel chartering services.

Double Corporate is a ISCC-EU certified Malaysian-based bioenergy company specialising in waste-based bioenergy and it involves converting waste into high-yield sustainable fuels and lubricants using proprietary, ISCC-EU-approved technology. 

Double Corporate has a decade-long expertise in producing high-yield, low-emission biofuels suitable for applications in the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and sustainable marine fuel (SMF) markets, particularly in Europe and Asia.

Dato’ Sri Kam Choy Ho, Chairman and CEO of the company, said: “This partnership aligns with our vision to expand regionally and globally to advance long term sustainable, green business and fuel innovation. Double Corporate’s circular-economy focus complements our commitment to environmentally responsible energy solutions.”

The MOA establishes the parties’ intention to enter into mutual discussions to collaborate and participate in the business in Malaysia and globally with a one-year exclusivity period for negotiations, extendable by mutual consent. Both parties will prioritise finalising definitive agreements within the exclusivity window.

 

Photo credit: TMD Energy
Published: 19 June, 2025

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Alternative Fuels

Singapore-based Proteus Energy introduces hydrogen fuel cell system for maritime sector

Company has partnered with hydrogen fuel cell company Symbio France to develop the Proteus Maritime Fuel Cell Solution, a modular hydrogen fuel-based system for ports and vessels.

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Singapore-headquartered clean energy provider Proteus Energy on Wednesday (18 June) has developed the Proteus® Maritime Fuel Cell Solution, a modular hydrogen fuel-based system for ports and vessels. 

The first offering is the Proteus®75. Each fuel cell stack is 75 kW output, and these can be combined for larger power requirements. The vessel types being targeted are harbour craft, and vessels in the coastal, offshore support, and in-land waterway segments.

The technology has been developed in partnership with Symbio France, a world leading hydrogen fuel cell company with over 30 years track record. Symbio is jointly owned by global industrial groups Michelin, Stellantis, and Forvia.

“The maritime industry needs viable clean energy solutions today,” said Dr Lars Gruenitz, CEO of Proteus Energy. “We are providing a high energy density solution that is compact and lightweight, which is critical for vessels where space and weight considerations are imperative. This best-in-class system is the logical and most cost-effective choice to help operators make a quantum leap in their decarbonisation efforts”.

The Proteus® Maritime Fuel Cell Solution can be delivered as a modular powerpack or customised and fitted into vessels.

Proteus’ fuel cell technology also complements electric propulsion and offers a powerful solution for hybrid vessels by extending their range and easing the load on batteries, thus improving space efficiency and vessel performance.

The Proteus® Maritime Fuel Cell Solution will be backed by a two-year performance guarantee from Symbio France.

Symbio’s systems have already logged millions of kilometers powering cars, buses and commercial trucks across Europe. Now, that same rigorous, road-tested performance is being deployed at sea with added protections for marine operating conditions.

The fuel cell stacks are produced at Symbio’s gigafactory in Lyon, France, using robotic assembly systems capable of producing thousands of units annually.

This high-throughput capability ensures that Proteus can meet rising demand without sacrificing quality – something only established and proven hydrogen fuel cell manufacturers can claim.

What also sets Proteus apart is its ability to bring economies of scale, continuous R&D, and tried and tested reliability from land transport into the marine environment. 

To provide a convenient fuel storage option, Proteus also offers high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks developed with its partner Forvia, a major global components and technology company. The DNV type-approved tanks, which are already available for delivery, offer a safe and easy way to store hydrogen onboard vessels and will be produced on an industrial scale.

In addition, Proteus works with port operators to provide them with customised refueling solutions and infrastructure.

The Proteus® Maritime Fuel Cell Solution is expected to be available for delivery beginning January 2026, with type approval from DNV anticipated before the end of this year. Proteus is ready to work with customers now.

 

Photo credit: Proteus Energy
Published: 19 June, 2025

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Sanctions

UK slaps sanctions on bunker company and Russian shadow fleet of oil tankers

Government has imposed sanctions on 20 oil tankers and Rosneft’s bunker fuel trading subsidiary Rosneft Marine (UK) Limited, in its latest action targeting Russia’s financial, military and energy sectors.

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The UK government on Tuesday (17 June) has imposed sanctions on 20 oil tankers and Rosneft’s bunker fuel trading subsidiary Rosneft Marine (UK) Limited, in its latest action targeting Russia’s financial, military and energy sectors.

The new sanctions crack down further on Russia’s shadow fleet, targeting 20 of oil tankers. The UK is also tightening the net around those who enable Putin’s illicit oil trade, sanctioning Orion Star Group LLC and Valegro LLC-FZ, for their role in crewing and managing shadow fleet vessels. 
The action also targets Russia’s military capabilities, hitting the military agency leading the development of Russia’s underwater intelligence gathering operations (GUGI), protecting the UK from attacks on subsea infrastructure, restricting Putin’s war machine and increasing our security at home. 

“These sanctions strike right at the heart of Putin’s war machine, choking off his ability to continue his barbaric war in Ukraine,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.

“We know that our sanctions are hitting hard, so while Putin shows total disregard for peace, we will not hesitate to keep tightening the screws.

“The threat posed by Russia cannot be underestimated, so I’m determined to take every step necessary to protect our national security and keep our country safe and secure.”

According to Rosneft’s website, Rosneft Marine UK, a Rosneft trading division, was established in 2010 to carry out bunker fuel trading for international cargo shipping.

In 2010, an office was opened in London, then in Beijing in 2012.

 

Photo credit: balesstudio on Unsplash
Published: 19 June, 2025

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