VLSFO and HSFO supply improves in Singapore

Bunker demand is low in Zhoushan

Availability good in Sri Lankan ports

PHOTO: Tanker at Ulsan harbour in South Korea. Getty Images

Singapore and Malaysia

In Singapore, VLSFO availability has improved amid "quiet" demand, reducing lead times from around 11 days last week to 4-7 days now.

HSFO supply has also improved, with lead times now at 5-11 days, down from the previous week's 7-14 days. LSMGO lead times remain steady at 2-7 days.

Singapore imported more fuel oil in October than in any month since April 2021, pushing residual fuel oil stocks to a two-month high due to increased net imports, according to Enterprise Singapore data. Net imports reached their highest level since February, while middle distillate stocks fell for the second consecutive month in October, reaching a four-month low.

In Malaysia’s Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are ample, with some suppliers offering prompt deliveries for smaller volumes. HSFO availability remains limited in the port.

East Asia

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is stable in Zhoushan amid low demand, with suppliers recommending lead times of 5–8 days, unchanged from last week. HSFO supply has improved, with suppliers advising lead times of 5–8 days, down slightly from 7–10 days last week.

In Northern China, the ports of Dalian and Qingdao have ample supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO, though HSFO is limited in Qingdao. Tianjin has tight supplies of HSFO and LSMGO, while VLSFO supply is good. In Shanghai, LSMGO is readily available, but VLSFO and HSFO are scarce. Suppliers in Fuzhou have strong stocks of both VLSFO and LSMGO, whereas Xiamen has limited LSMGO despite solid VLSFO supply. In Yangpu and Guangzhou, prompt availability for both grades remains limited.

In Hong Kong, lead times for all bunker grades remain stable at seven days.

In Taiwan’s ports—Hualien, Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Keelung—VLSFO and LSMGO continue to be readily available, with consistent lead times of two days, just like last week.

In South Korean ports, lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO range from 4-12 days, nearly unchanged from last week. HSFO supply remains tight, with lead times of 8-12 days recommended. Last week, several suppliers were recommending 3-14 days for the grade.

Adverse weather is forecasted to intermittently disrupt bunker operations at Ulsan, Onsan, Busan, and Yeosu ports from 6-10 November, with possible interruptions at Daesan and Taean on 6 November.

VLSFO supply is generally stable across Japanese ports, though prompt deliveries are limited in Oita. HSFO remains tight for prompt delivery at most ports, while LSMGO is readily available at major ports, including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Mizushima, and Oita.

Rough weather is expected at Thailand's ports of Koh Sichang and Laem Chabang on Friday and Saturday, potentially impacting bunkering operations.

Oceania

Since early September, a bunker barge has been in dry dock, restricting VLSFO availability by barge at Fremantle and Kwinana ports until mid-November. LSMGO is still available at berth. Meanwhile, Port Kembla remains unaffected, with bunkering available by truck and ex-pipe.

In New South Wales, Sydney has adequate LSMGO, though HSFO may require longer lead times. Melbourne and Geelong in Victoria have ample VLSFO and LSMGO, though prompt HSFO deliveries may be challenging.

In Queensland, Brisbane and Gladstone report sufficient VLSFO and LSMGO with 7–8-day lead times. HSFO availability in Brisbane is limited.

In New Zealand, Tauranga and Auckland have good VLSFO supplies, with Auckland also well-stocked in LSMGO.

South Asia

VLSFO and LSMGO supplies at Indian ports, including Mumbai, Kandla, Tuticorin, Cochin, and Chennai, remain limited, consistent with recent weeks.

In contrast, the Sri Lankan ports of Colombo and Hambantota have all three grades readily available, with prompt lead times of about two days, similar to last week.

Middle East

Prompt availability of all fuel grades is tight in Fujairah, with most suppliers indicating lead times of approximately 5-7 days for all grades, consistent with last week. Suppliers in Khor Fakkan also recommend lead times of 5-7 days across all grades.

In the Iraqi port of Basrah, both VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available, while supplies of both grades are nearly depleted in Ras Laffan, Qatar, and Suez in Egypt. The port of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia has a sufficient supply of LSMGO, but VLSFO availability is limited.

In Djibouti, both VLSFO and HSFO supplies are almost exhausted, and LSMGO is also constrained. Omani ports, including Sohar, Salalah, Muscat, and Duqm, have enough LSMGO to meet immediate demand.

By Tuhin Roy

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