Availability is good for all grades in Zhoushan

Several South Korean ports brace for weather disruptions

Availability is good in Sri Lankan ports

PHOTO: Harbour view of Fremantle Port, Australia. Getty Images



Singapore and Malaysia

VLSFO availability remains tight in Singapore, with standard lead times of about 10 days, similar to last week. Expedited deliveries within five days are available but at higher prices. HSFO lead times remain steady at 5-9 days, while LSMGO lead times have been revised to 3-9 days from 3-11 days last week.

According to Enterprise Singapore, residual fuel oil stocks in Singapore have averaged 6% lower so far this month compared to December. Fuel oil stocks have decreased to just over 21 million bbls, driven by a sharp 31% drop in the port's net fuel oil imports this month. Imports have fallen significantly by 1.10 million bbls, while exports have risen by 542,000 bbls. Middle distillate stocks in the port have also declined, averaging 15% lower this month.

At Malaysia's Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are abundant, with prompt small-quantity deliveries readily available. However, HSFO supply remains constrained.

East Asia

Lead times in Zhoushan remain steady for VLSFO at 3-5 days, similar to last week. LSMGO lead times have improved from six days last week to 3-5 days now, while HSFO requires 4-7 days.

Bunkering operations at Zhoushan's Tiaozhoumen and Xiazhimen outer anchorages have resumed from Monday, after being suspended for six days due to bad weather, according to a source. All anchorages in Zhoushan are now fully operational.

In Northern China, Dalian and Qingdao ports have ample VLSFO and LSMGO supplies, though Qingdao faces limited HSFO availability. HSFO and VLSFO supplies are tight in Tianjin, while LSMGO supply remains steady.

In Shanghai, LSMGO is readily available, but VLSFO and HSFO supplies are constrained. Fuzhou has strong supplies of both VLSFO and LSMGO grades, while Xiamen has good VLSFO availability but restricted LSMGO supply. Prompt deliveries of both grades remain limited at Yangpu and Guangzhou.

In Hong Kong, lead times for all fuel grades are around seven days, consistent with recent weeks. The port is forecast to experience bad weather conditions on Wednesday, which could disrupt bunker deliveries.

In Taiwan, Hualien and Taichung ports have stable VLSFO and LSMGO supplies with lead times of around two days, unchanged from last week. In Keelung, lead times of 2-3 days are recommended. At Kaohsiung, VLSFO lead times are approximately two days, but LSMGO deliveries remain challenging due to ongoing barge maintenance since late December.

Availability of all grades remains strong across South Korean ports despite high demand, with several suppliers recommending lead times of around three days, down from 4-6 days last week. However, intermittent rough weather expected this week may disrupt bunkering operations at Ulsan, Onsan, Busan, Daesan, Taean and Yeosu.

In Japan, VLSFO is readily available in major ports such as Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya and Yokkaichi, though prompt availability is limited in Mizushima. LSMGO supply is generally stable, but securing prompt deliveries can be difficult in Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, and Mizushima. HSFO supply is tight in all ports, and in Oita, all fuel grades are subject to availability.

In Vietnam, Hai Phong and Vung Tau ports have robust VLSFO and LSMGO supplies, with prompt deliveries readily available.

Subic Bay in the Philippines may experience inclement weather from 15-16 January, potentially disrupting bunkering operations. Similarly, adverse weather conditions could impact bunkering in Thailand's Koh Sichang and Laem Chabang ports between 16 and 18 January.

Oceania

In Western Australia, the ports of Kwinana, Fremantle and Kembla have ample VLSFO and LSMGO supplies, with typical lead times of 7-8 days. In New South Wales, Sydney has sufficient LSMGO availability, while HSFO may require longer lead times.

Victoria’s ports, Melbourne and Geelong, have abundant stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, but securing prompt HSFO deliveries can be difficult. In Queensland, Brisbane and Gladstone maintain adequate VLSFO and LSMGO supplies with lead times of 7-8 days, although HSFO availability in Brisbane remains limited.

In New Zealand, Tauranga and Auckland have enough VLSFO stocks. Auckland also has ample LSMGO supplies. However, rough weather is expected in Tauranga on 20 January, which could disrupt bunker operations.

South Asia

VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains limited at several Indian ports, including Kandla, Mumbai, Tuticorin, Chennai and Cochin, consistent with recent weeks. Both grades are subject to availability in Visakhapatnam, while a supplier in Paradip and Haldia is nearly out of stock.

Adverse weather in Kandla and Sikka ports may disrupt bunker operations on Thursday.

In Sri Lanka, lead times of around seven days are recommended for all grades at Colombo port, almost unchanged from last week. Bad weather is forecast for Saturday, which could impact deliveries.

In contrast, Hambantota's lead times for all grades have decreased from around six days last week, to just two days now.

Middle East

In Fujairah, prompt availability remains tight, with lead times for all grades steady at 5-7 days, unchanged from last week. Similarly, suppliers in Khor Fakkan are recommending lead times of 5-7 days for all grades.

In contrast, Jeddah port in Saudi Arabia has adequate supplies of both VLSFO and LSMGO. VLSFO supply remains under pressure in Djibouti, while LSMGO is more readily available.

Omani ports, including Sohar, Salalah, Muscat and Duqm, have ample LSMGO supplies with prompt deliveries available.

By Tuhin Roy

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