Bunker availability improves in Singapore

Bunker demand low in Zhoushan

Availability good in Sri Lankan ports

IMAGE: Container ship with working crane bridge in shipyard in Singapore. Getty Images

Singapore and Malaysia

Bunker availability in Singapore has improved this week amid subdued demand. VLSFO lead times have shortened from 9–17 days last week to 6–13 days now, while HSFO lead times have come down to around 5–9 days. LSMGO lead times have been revised downward from 3–10 days to 3–7 days.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 2 million bbls lower so far in May compared to April, according to Enterprise Singapore. Stocks have averaged 20.54 million bbls so far this month, which is below the five-year average of 21.27 million bbls.

Meanwhile, Singapore’s middle distillate stocks - including gasoil - have fallen to a 15-month low of 8.91 million bbls.

In Malaysia’s Port Klang, both VLSFO and LSMGO remain readily available, with prompt deliveries possible for smaller quantities. HSFO supply continues to be limited.

East Asia

In Zhoushan, VLSFO lead times remain stable at around seven days amid low demand. LSMGO lead times have increased from 1–3 days last week to approximately seven days now. HSFO lead times have risen from 3–5 days to about seven days.

In northern China, both Dalian and Qingdao have healthy supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO, although HSFO remains limited in Qingdao. Tianjin continues to experience tight availability of both VLSFO and HSFO, while LSMGO supply is steady.

In Shanghai, supply remains constrained for both VLSFO and HSFO, while LSMGO is readily available. Further south, Fuzhou has ample availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO. Xiamen has good supply of VLSFO, though LSMGO remains limited. In Yangpu and Guangzhou, getting prompt deliveries of both VLSFO and LSMGO continue to be difficult.

In Hong Kong, lead times for all fuel grades remain consistent with previous weeks at around seven days.

Over in Taiwan, VLSFO and LSMGO availability continues to be stable across the ports of Hualien, Keelung, Kaohsiung and Taichung, with lead times steady at approximately two days - the same as last week.

Lead times across all fuel grades in several South Korean ports now range between 4–11 days, an increase from last week when most suppliers recommended lead times of 3–8 days.

Bunker operations are likely to be disrupted by high waves in Ulsan, Onsan, Busan and Yeosu between 17–19 May. Additionally, Daesan and Taean may face interruptions on 13–14 May and again on 18 May due to a combination of high waves and strong winds.

Prompt VLSFO supply remains tight across several Japanese ports, including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi and Mizushima.

LSMGO availability is generally stable, but securing prompt deliveries can be challenging in Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi and Mizushima. HSFO supply is also mostly steady; however, prompt delivery remains difficult in Nagoya, Yokkaichi and Mizushima. In Oita, all fuel grades are available subject to enquiry.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO remain readily available in Kwinana, Fremantle and Port Kembla, with recommended lead times of 7–8 days. In New South Wales, Sydney has ample LSMGO supply, though prompt HSFO deliveries continue to be challenging.

In Victoria, both Melbourne and Geelong have robust supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO, but prompt HSFO availability remains limited. In the Queensland ports of Brisbane and Gladstone, there is good availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, with lead times of 7–8 days; however, HSFO remains in short supply in Brisbane.

In New Zealand, VLSFO stocks are adequate in Tauranga and Auckland. However, bunker operations in Tauranga may experience intermittent disruptions on 13–14 May and again on 18 May due to adverse weather conditions.

South Asia

Adverse weather is forecast to disrupt bunker deliveries in the Indian ports of Kandla on 16 May, and Sikka on 17 May.

Meanwhile, fuel availability remains stable across all grades at Sri Lanka’s Colombo and Hambantota ports, with recommended lead times steady at approximately three days - largely unchanged from last week. However, rough weather expected in Colombo from 14–15 May may affect bunker operations during that period.

Middle East

Prompt bunker availability remains tight in Fujairah, with lead times for all fuel grades holding steady at 5–7 days, unchanged from last week.

In Iraq's Basrah, VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available, while HSFO supply remains limited.

In Egypt's Suez port, all three conventional bunker grades are nearly depleted. Ras Laffan in Qatar is also facing tight supply of VLSFO and LSMGO.

In Saudi Arabia, Jeddah has sufficient LSMGO availability, but limited VLSFO. Bunker deliveries in Jeddah may be affected by adverse weather between 14–16 May, while similar disruptions are expected in Yanbu on 13 May and from 15–16 May.

In Djibouti, bunker supply is under significant strain, with VLSFO and HSFO stocks nearly exhausted and LSMGO running low. Rough weather is forecast for 14–15 May, which could further hinder bunker operations.

Meanwhile, Omani ports - Sohar, Salalah, Muscat and Duqm - continue to have readily available LSMGO.

By Tuhin Roy

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