Bunker fuel availability tight in Singapore

Prompt LSMGO supply improves in Zhoushan

South Korean ports face weather disruptions

IMAGE: Bunker barge at berth in Fujairah, UAE. Port of Fujairah

Singapore and Malaysia

Bunker availability in Singapore is a bit tight, with VLSFO lead times of around 9-17 days now. HSFO lead times have increased and are at around 7-13 days. LSMGO remains readily available, with recommended lead times reduced from 6-8 days last week, to 3-10 days now.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks averaged 19% higher in April than across March, according to Enterprise Singapore. The fuel oil stocks grew amid a 21% surge in net fuel oil imports. Imports rose by a notable 1.04 million bbls, easily outpacing the 162,000-bbl increase in exports. In contrast, the port’s middle distillate stocks fell, averaging 12% lower in April compared to March.

VLSFO and LSMGO grades are widely available in Malaysia’s Port Klang, with prompt deliveries possible for smaller stems. In contrast, HSFO supply continues to be tight. Bad weather conditions may disrupt bunker operations in Port Klang later this week.

East Asia

In Zhoushan, VLSFO lead times remain steady at 5-7 days. LSMGO availability has improved, with lead times down to 1-3 days from last week’s 5-7. HSFO supply has also improved, with lead times shortening to 3-5 days from around eight previously.

Bunker trading activity in China remained subdued due to the Labour Day holiday period from 1-5 May.

VLSFO and LSMGO are well stocked in Dalian and Qingdao in northern China, though HSFO remains tight in Qingdao. Tianjin continues to see limited availability of VLSFO and HSFO, while LSMGO supply is steady.

In Shanghai, VLSFO and HSFO is still tight, but LSMGO is readily available. Further south, Fuzhou has ample supply of both grades, while Xiamen has good VLSFO availability but tight LSMGO. Prompt deliveries of both fuels remain challenging in Yangpu and Guangzhou, a source says.

In Hong Kong, lead times for all fuel grades continue to remain at about seven days, showing no change from recent weeks. VLSFO is very tight, another source says. Bunker operations may face some disruption in Hong Kong due to bad weather between 8-12 May.

In Taiwan, suppliers in Kaohsiung and Taichung require lead times of approximately three days for VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries. Meanwhile, Hualien and Keelung continue to have stable supplies of both grades, with unchanged lead times of around two days.

Fuel availability across all grades is extremely tight in several South Korean ports, according to a source. Lead times of around 3-8 days are expected for all grades in Busan, Ulsan, Masan, Yeosu and Onsan.

Bunker operations are also expected to face disruptions from high waves and strong winds: in Ulsan, Onsan and Busan between 9-12 May; in Daesan on Tuesday and again between 10-12 May; and in Yeosu on 9-10 May.

In Japan, prompt VLSFO supply continues to remain tight at several Japanese ports, including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi and Mizushima.

LSMGO is generally available, but securing prompt deliveries remains challenging in Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi and Mizushima. HSFO supply is tight in most locations too, while in Oita, all fuel grades are offered subject to enquiry.

In Vietnam, rough weather may disrupt bunker deliveries in Hai Phong on 8 May and again between 10-11 May.

South Asia

VLSFO remains in tight supply in several Indian ports, including Mundra, Kandla, Mumbai, Tuticorin, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Cochin and Haldia, consistent with recent weeks. LSMGO availability in most Indian ports depends on the enquiry.

Sri Lanka’s Colombo and Hambantota ports have good fuel availability across all grades, with recommended lead times of around four days, unchanged from last week.

Oceania

VLSFO and LSMGO remain readily available in key Western Australian ports such as Kwinana, Fremantle and Port Kembla, where suppliers recommend lead times of around 7-8 days. In New South Wales, Sydney continues to offer good LSMGO coverage, though prompt HSFO deliveries remain tight.

Victoria’s Melbourne and Geelong ports report good availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO, but HSFO remains in short supply for immediate requirements. In Queensland, Brisbane and Gladstone are well-supplied on VLSFO and LSMGO, though HSFO is limited in Brisbane.

Meanwhile, in New Zealand, Tauranga and Auckland hold good VLSFO supplies.

Middle East

In Fujairah, prompt bunker availability is tight, with lead times for all grades at least seven days, consistent with the previous week. Suppliers in Khor Fakkan also suggest similar lead times.

“Most of suppliers are not entertaining bigger [VLSFO] stems due to instability of the market and due to shortage of cargo,” a source says.

In Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah, VLSFO supply remains limited, while LSMGO availability is adequate.

VLSFO is readily available in Iraq's Basrah, but LSMGO seems tight. Bunker availability in Djibouti is tight, with VLSFO and HSFO stocks nearly exhausted and LSMGO levels also running low.

Suppliers in the Omani ports of Sohar, Salalah, Muscat and Duqm report tight LSMGO and VLSFO availability.

By Aparupa Mazumder

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