Bunker Fuel Availability

JLC China Bunker Market Monthly Report (January 2024)

Country recorded about 1.82 million mt of bonded bunker fuel sales in January, with the daily sales up by 17.54% month on month to 58,548 mt, JLC’s data shows.

Published

8 months ago

February 9, 2024

Admin

Beijing-based commodity market information provider JLC Network Technology Co. recently shared its JLC China Bunker monthly report for January 2024 with Manifold Times through an exclusive arrangement:

Bunker Fuel Demand

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales surge in January

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales spiked in January, mainly because of healthy demand from the shipping sector, as well as increasing supply following the release of LSFO export quotas.

The country recorded about 1.82 million mt of bonded bunker fuel sales in January, with the daily sales up by 17.54% month on month to 58,548 mt, JLC’s data shows.

The sales by Chimbusco and Sinopec (Zhoushan) respectively rose to 580,000 mt and 670,000 mt in the month, while those by suppliers with regional bunkering licenses climbed to 495,000 mt, up from 424,100 mt in December. By contrast, the sales by SinoBunker slid to 40,000 mt in the month, down from 50,000 mt in the previous month. At the same time, China ChangJiang Bunker (Sinopec) sold about 30,000 mt of bonded bunker fuel, unchanged month on month.

China’s bonded bunker fuel exports rally in December 2023

China’s bonded bunker fuel exports rallied in December 2023, because of a relatively low base a month earlier.

The country recorded about 1.59 million mt of bonded bunker fuel exports in the month, jumping by 16.18% month on month, JLC estimated, with reference to data from the General Administration of Customs of PRC (GACC).

Heavy bunker fuel exports amounted to 1.51 million mt in the month, accounting for 94.85% of the total, while light bunker fuel exports settled at 81,900 mt, accounting for 5.15%.

Suppliers with national bunkering licenses exported roughly 1.17 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in the month, accounting for 73.32%, with Sinopec Fuel Oil and Chimbusco taking 67.63%. In the meantime, enterprises with regional licenses exported about 424,100 mt, occupying 26.68%.

The month-on-month increase in the exports was mainly ascribed to a relatively low base in November when Chinese refiners cut their bonded bunker fuel exports to a ten-month low.

However, tighter export quotas and low-sulfur fuel oil (LSFO) supply limited the growth in December’s bonded bunker fuel exports.

On a year-on-year comparison, China’s bonded bunker fuel exports surged by 32.32% in December.

China exported a total of 19.66 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in 2023, growing by 3.06% from the previous year, accelerating from a rise of 1.09% in January-November.

China bunker blending profit by region 2023

China major blending producers Dec 2023

Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand largely stable in Jan

Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand was basically stable in January, when most shipowners based purchase on rigid demand amid overpriced bunker fuel. Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand was estimated at 430,000 mt in the month, largely stable from the previous month, JLC’s data shows.

However, domestic-trade marine gasoil (MGO) demand dwindled to 120,000 mt in the month, down by 10,000 mt or 7.69% month on month, the data also shows. Domestic-trade light bunker fuel demand weakened, as the inland shipping market sagged and downstream restocking shrank with the approach of the Spring Festival.

Bunker Fuel Supply

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports tumble in December

China's bonded bunker fuel imports stood at 315,200 mt in December, a slump of 41.29% month on month and 23.92% year on year, JLC estimated, with reference to data from the General Administration of Customs of PRC (GACC).

Though domestic LSFO output declined further, most distributors continued to cut their imports in the month amid high import costs.

South Korea topped all suppliers by shipping 95,400 mt to China in December, accounting for 30.26% of the latter's total imports, while Malaysia climbed to the second place with 88,600 mt, accounting for 28.11%. Iraq and Japan ranked third and fourth with 86,600 mt and 30,700 mt, making up 27.46% and 9.73% respectively.

Russia slipped to the fifth place with 13,000 mt, occupying 4.12%, while Singapore fell to the sixth place with only 1,000 mt, accounting for 0.32%.

China's bonded bunker fuel imports are expected to move lower in January 2024 because domestic LSFO production will return to normal after the release of the first batch of LSFO export quotas for this year.

Bonded bunker fuel imports by source Nov 2023

Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel supply increases in January

Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel supply increased slightly in January, as blenders showed higher production interest amid considerable blending margins. Meanwhile, downstream buyers increased purchases for pre-holiday replenishment, which also prompted blenders to accelerate production. Chinese blenders supplied about 440,000 mt of domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel in the month, up by 10,000 mt or 2.33% from a month earlier, JLC’s data indicates.

On the contrary, domestic-trade marine gasoil (MGO) supply came in at 140,000 mt in the month, a monthly decline of 10,000 mt or 6.67%, the data shows. Refineries’ production enthusiasm was relatively low when MGO prices dropped in tandem with falling diesel prices.

Arrival of imported FO cargoes Jan 2024

Bunker Prices, Profits

China main oil blending feedstock prices

China domestic trading 180 cSt bunker fuel price 2020 2023

China bunker blending profit by region 2023

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JLC Network Technology Co., Ltd is recognized as the leading information provider in China. We specialized 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.

Photo credit: JLC Network Technology
Published: 9 February 2024

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Bunker Fuel

Brazil: Raízen launches new bunkering operation in Itaqui

Operation will support both coastal and oceangoing vessels at Off Port Limits, allowing the firm’s customers to avoid full port call fees and unnecessary deviations, says Paula Georgopoulos Tinoco.

Published

2 days ago

October 4, 2024

Admin

Brazil: Raízen launches new bunkering operation in Itaqui

Brazilian energy firm Raízen has launched its new bunkering operation in Itaqui at the Outer Anchorage Area, according to Paula Georgopoulos Tinoco, Bunker Sales Coordinator at Raízen on Wednesday (3 October).

The firm is providing local supplies for the grades VLSFO380 (max. 0.5%S) and LSMGO DMA (max. 0.1%S).

“The new bunkering operation will support both coastal and oceangoing vessels with different sizes and class at the Off Port Limits, allowing our customers to avoid full port call fees and unnecessary deviations at different bunkering ports,” she said in a social media post.

In September last year, Bunker Holding subsidiary Bunker One announced that it partnered with Acelen, the largest bunker producer in the Brazilian state of Bahia, to offer the only outer anchorage bunkering operation in Brazil at the time.

Starting September 2023, vessels such as large cargo ships and tankers can be supplied in the anchorage area of the Port of Itaqui in São Marcos Bay (MA).

Photo credit: Raízen
Published: 4 October, 2024

Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (3 Oct 2024)

Dockworkers’ strike at East and Gulf Coast ports; low demand in Houston; Raizen starts bunker operations off Itaqui.

Published

2 days ago

October 4, 2024

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:

Dockworkers' strike at East and Gulf Coast ports
Low demand in Houston
Raizen starts bunker operations off Itaqui

North America

Dockworkers across the US East and Gulf Coasts ports launched their first major strike in nearly 50 years on Tuesday, raising concerns about potential supply chain disruptions.

While the strike action directly affects container and cargo operations, sources warned that bunkering services may also face indirect delays if barge movements are hindered.

“We haven’t seen an impact on port [fuel] reserves yet, but we’re anticipating disruption,” Stone Oil’s chief operating officer Anthony Odak told ENGINE. The company supplies bunker fuels at ports along the US Gulf Coast.

Prolonged congestion at the ports could also affect the availability of bunker fuel. Although oil and gas shipments are handled through separate operational facilities, disruptions in containerized cargo movements could tighten fuel oil supply chains.

Bunker demand has been very low in Houston for prompt dates. However, the availability of all fuel grades has remained good so far this week. Most suppliers can offer VLSFO and LSMGO stems with a lead time of 5-7 days in Houston.

Bunkering was proceeding normally in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) on Thursday amid pleasant weather conditions. The weather is forecast to remain calm through the weekend and most of next week. Despite this, bunker demand in GOLA has been very low this week.

The Port of New Orleans, a key Gulf Coast hub for dry bulk commodities like grains, is also experiencing severe delays in loading and unloading ships. These delays are raising shipping costs and risking supply chain disruptions. Prolonged strikes could worsen congestion and further impact industries relying on these trade routes, shipping technology company Signal Ocean stated.

All grades are tight for prompt delivery dates in the West Coast ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Most suppliers require more than seven days of lead time to deliver VLSFO and LSMGO stems in both ports.

Bunker fuel availability has not been affected by the ongoing strike action in the East Coast port of New York. Most suppliers are still able to offer VLSFO and LSMGO stems within five days of lead time.

Caribbean and Latin America

Bunker demand has been good in Panamanian ports amid more daily transits through the Panama Canal. Availability has also remained good for prompt dates in both Balboa and Cristobal.

Denmark's The Bunker Firm has launched new bunker operations in Cartagena, Columbia, supplying VLSFO and LSMGO.

VLSFO and LSMGO grades are readily available at Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage. Demand has picked up this week for both the fuel grades.

Bunker fuel demand has been good in most Brazilian ports this week. VLSFO availability is good in most of the ports, according to most suppliers.

Brazilian energy company Raízen has also launched new bunker operations at Itaqui Outer Anchorage, supplying VLSFO and LSMGO.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 4 October, 2024

Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (2 Oct 2024)

Prompt LSMGO remains tight in the ARA hub; HSFO availability good in Gibraltar; prompt bunker supply tight in Port Louis.

Published

3 days ago

October 3, 2024

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 LSMGO remains tight in the ARA hub
HSFO availability good in Gibraltar
Prompt bunker supply tight in Port Louis

Northwest Europe

Prompt availability of LSMGO remains very tight in Rotterdam and in the wider ARA hub, a trader told ENGINE. Some suppliers in Rotterdam are experiencing barge loading delays. This has stretched lead times for the grade from 3–5 days last week, to 7–10 days now.

Most suppliers are unable to offer LSMGO for prompt deliveries in Rotterdam, as their barges have been held up for days waiting to load product at oil terminals, the trader said.

Prompt supply of VLSFO and HSFO is good in the ARA hub, with lead times of 3–4 days recommended for both grades.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 6% lower so far this month than across August, according to Insights Global data.

The region has imported 269,000 b/d of fuel oil in September so far, up from 223,000 b/d imported in August, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. The ARA has imported low-sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) and HSFO in a 55/45 ratio so far this month.

The US has emerged as the region’s biggest fuel oil import source so far this month, accounting for 15% of the total imports. The UK has come in second place, accounting for 13% of the ARA’s total imports, followed by the Bahamas (11%), Brazil (10%) and Poland (8%).

The ARA hub’s independent gasoil inventories — which include diesel and heating oil — have increased by 13% so far this month. The region has imported 293,000 b/d of gasoil in September so far, down from 355,000 b/d of gasoil imported in August, according to Vortexa data.

Bunker fuel availability is normal in Germany’s Hamburg port, a trader said. Lead times have remained steady in the past few months, with suppliers offering all three grades within 3–5 days.

Mediterranean

Prompt supply of all bunker fuel grades is good in Gibraltar. Lead times of 3–5 days are advised for optimal coverage from suppliers. Gibraltar is forecast to experience rough weather conditions in periods between today and Friday, which could impact bunkering. Wind gusts of up to 21 knots are forecast to hit the port.

Securing prompt HSFO deliveries can be difficult in the Canary Islands’ port of Las Palmas, a trader said. Lead times remain unchanged since last week, with 5–7 days advised for the grade's delivery in the port.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is good in Las Palmas and suppliers are able to offer prompt deliveries, with lead times of 3–5 days for both grades.

Bunker demand is moderate in other Mediterranean ports like Piraeus, Malta Offshore and Istanbul, a trader told ENGINE.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is good in the Greek port of Piraeus, the trader said. Suppliers are able to offer prompt delivery dates for the two grades in the port. Prompt HSFO supply is subject to enquiry, the trader added. Calm weather is forecast in Piraeus for the rest of the week, making it conducive to bunker there, a source said.

Prompt availability of all grades is good off Malta, a trader said. Lead times of 3–4 days are generally recommended. Adverse weather is forecast intermittently off Malta from Wednesday till Friday, which could complicate deliveries, according to a source.

In Turkey’s Istanbul port, all bunker fuel grades are readily available. Lead times of 3–4 days are advised for optimal coverage from suppliers, a trader said.

Africa

Prompt supply of VLSFO and LSMGO remains tight in South Africa’s Durban port. Recommended lead times for LSMGO stretch up to two weeks, while lead times of 7–10 days are advised for VLSFO deliveries, according to a trader.

Durban is forecast to experience adverse weather conditions between Friday and Sunday, which could impact bunkering. Strong wind gusts in the range of 19-31 knots are forecast to hit Durban during this period.

VLSFO supply is tight in Richards Bay, where lead times of 7–10 days are advised for the grade, a trader said.

Securing prompt bunker deliveries can be challenging in Mauritius’ Port Louis. Lead times of over ten days are recommended for all three grades there, a trader said. Port Louis could face bunkering disruptions between Saturday and Monday, when rough weather is forecast in the port, a source said.

In Angola’s Luanda port, a state-run bunker supplier halted VLSFO supply in August. It is yet to provide an update on when the supply will resume in the port. LSMGO availability is currently good in Luanda, with supply available by barge, a source said.

By Manjula Nair

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 3 October, 2024