Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO supply good in Malaysia’s Port Klang

Several South Korean ports brace for weather disruptions

Availability good in Sri Lankan ports

PHOTO: Industrial cargo ships in Busan port area, South Korea. Getty Images

Singapore and Malaysia

Most suppliers in Singapore are advising lead times of 2–10 days for VLSFO deliveries, compared to 2–5 days last week. HSFO lead times remain steady at 2–10 days, while LSMGO lead times have improved slightly, reducing from 3–5 days last week to 2–4 days now.

According to Enterprise Singapore, residual fuel oil stocks in Singapore have averaged 3% lower so far this month compared to January. The port's fuel oil inventories have fallen below 20 million bbls, amid a notable 23% drop in net fuel imports this month. Fuel oil imports have declined by 1.31 million bbls, while exports have decreased by 467,000 bbls. In contrast, middle distillate stocks have climbed, averaging 11% higher than last month.

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

East Asia

Despite sluggish bunker demand, lead times for bunker deliveries in Zhoushan have increased. VLSFO and LSMGO now require 4–6 days, up from three days last week. HSFO supply has also tightened, with lead times extending from around three days last week to approximately 5–8 days now.

In northern China, Dalian and Qingdao suppliers have ample VLSFO and LSMGO stocks, though HSFO remains scarce in Qingdao. Supply of HSFO and VLSFO is tight in Tianjin, while LSMGO supply remains steady.

In Shanghai, LSMGO is readily available, but VLSFO and HSFO supplies are under pressure. Fuzhou has good availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO, whereas in Xiamen, VLSFO supply is abundant, but LSMGO is limited. Prompt deliveries of VLSFO and LSMGO continue to be constrained at Yangpu and Guangzhou.

At several Taiwanese ports, including Taichung, Kaohsiung, Keelung and Hualien, VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries require lead times of approximately 2–3 days, remaining largely unchanged from last week.

In Hong Kong, lead times for all fuel grades remain stable at around seven days, consistent with recent weeks. However, bunker deliveries may face disruptions due to adverse weather conditions expected today.

In southern South Korean ports, VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries require lead times of 4–7 days, while western ports have stable lead times of 5–7 days. Last week, both regions had a uniform lead time of 4–6 days for these grades.

HSFO deliveries in several southern ports now require 5–7 days, whereas western ports have much shorter lead times of around two days.

Bunker operations at Ulsan, Onsan, Busan and Yeosu could experience intermittent disruptions due to potential adverse weather conditions today and between 28 February–2 March. Similar interruptions are anticipated at Daesan and Taean from 1–2 March.

In Japan, VLSFO is widely available at several ports, including Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya and Yokkaichi. However, prompt supply is tight in Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki and Mizushima. LSMGO supplies remain stable, though securing prompt deliveries can be difficult in Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi and Mizushima. Similarly, HSFO availability is constrained across multiple Japanese ports.

In Oita, all fuel grades are subject to availability.

Subic Bay in the Philippines may experience inclement weather until 1 March, potentially disrupting bunkering operations. Similarly, adverse weather could complicate bunker deliveries in Thailand’s Laem Chabang today and in Koh Sichang until Wednesday. In Vietnam, Hai Phong may also be affected by unfavourable weather conditions on 27 February.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO grades are readily available at Kwinana, Fremantle and Kembla, with standard lead times of 7–8 days. In New South Wales, LSMGO supply in Sydney remains steady, though HSFO may require extended lead times.

In Victoria, Melbourne and Geelong have sufficient VLSFO and LSMGO stocks, but securing prompt HSFO deliveries can be difficult.

In Queensland, suppliers in Brisbane and Gladstone have adequate stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, with recommended lead times of 7–8 days. However, HSFO availability in Brisbane remains tight.

In New Zealand, suppliers in Tauranga have ample VLSFO stocks. Suppliers in Auckland have good supplies of both VLSFO and LSMGO.

South Asia

At several Indian ports, including Kandla, Mumbai, Tuticorin, Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Cochin, VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains subject to enquiry, consistent with past few weeks. Meanwhile, a supplier in Paradip and Haldia is nearly out of stocks.

In Sri Lanka’s Colombo, fuel availability has improved across all grades, with lead times reducing from around seven days last week to approximately four days now. In Hambantota, lead times have decreased to about four days, down from six days last week.

Middle East

In Fujairah, prompt availability remains tight despite weak demand, with lead times for all fuel grades steady at 5–7 days, unchanged from last week. Suppliers in Khor Fakkan are also advising lead times of 5–7-days for all grades.

In contrast, Jeddah port in Saudi Arabia has sufficient VLSFO and LSMGO stocks. In Djibouti, VLSFO supply is under pressure, while LSMGO is more readily available.

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

By Tuhin Roy

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