Good fuel availability in Scandinavia

Tight prompt availability in Piraeus

HSFO very tight in Port Louis
IMAGE: The Port of Hamburg and the River Elbe. Getty Images

Northwest Europe

Consistent with the last few weeks, prompt deliveries remain challenging for all grades in the ARA hub. Advised lead times are unchanged at 7-8 days, a trader told ENGINE.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks averaged 2% greater in May than in April, according to Insights Global data.

Averaging 7.17 million bbls in May, the fuel oil stocks recovered from the 18-month low they hit in April. But they were still 11% shy of their five-year average and 19% below 2024's average.

The region imported 225,000 b/d of fuel oil in May, a slight increase when compared to April’s 198,000 b/d, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. 

Saudi Arabia remained the ARA's topmost fuel oil import source, making up about 20% of the total share. Other import sources included the UK (15%), the UAE (9%) and Turkey (8%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – averaged 1% lower than in April. The ARA hub imported a total of 311,000 b/d in May, recording a steep increase from April’s 202,000 b/d, Vortexa data shows.

Gothenburg and off Skaw continue to offer good bunker availability of all grades, with 10 days recommended as lead times, according to a trader.

Availability of all grades is good in Germany's Hamburg, with lead times of 3-5 days advised, another trader told ENGINE.

Mediterranean

Like last week, prompt bunker availability is tight in Gibraltar Strait ports, with lead times of 8-9 days advised, according to a trader.

On Wednesday, there were nine vessels awaiting bunkers in Gibraltar, port agent MH Bland said. Limited barge availability and a lack of space for vessels were the main reasons for congestion building in the port. MH Bland also noted that some suppliers were delayed by anywhere from 4-24 hours. The weather is expected to be suitable for bunkering in Gibraltar for the rest of the week.

Suppliers in Algeciras were running 2-12 hours behind schedule, which was less than a week ago, according to MH Bland.

In Ceuta, one supplier was running 8-10 hours behind schedule at the anchorage, the MH Bland noted. There were four vessels in queue for bunkering at berth and 13 vessels were expected to arrive for bunkers on Wednesday, according to shipping agent Jose Salama & Co.

Lisbon has good bunker availability and lead times of 3-5 days are recommended, according to a trader.

Bunker availability remains good with lead times of 3-4 days in Las Palmas, consistent with last week, a trader said. Some suppliers are facing delays in their schedules, according to MH Bland.

In Barcelona, HSFO and LSMGO grades are readily available while VLSFO availability remains difficult, according to a trader.

Prompt availability of all grades continues to be challenging off Malta, according to a trader. Bunker vessels still deliver in Area 3 and delays are not expected.

In Piraeus, prompt availability is tight for all grades, according to a trader.

LSMGO, VLSFO and ULSFO are readily available in Istanbul, according to a trader. Though bunker operations are underway, possible weather-related disruptions could surface over the weekend. Due to the Eid holiday weekend, work in the port is expected to be disrupted from 5-10 June, according to a trader.

Africa

In Togo’s Lome, availability of all grades is good, with lead times of 5-7 days recommended, according to a trader.

VLSFO is readily available in Luanda with 3-4 days of notice recommended, while LSMGO supply is still very tight, a trader said, noting consistency with the past couple of weeks.

With recommended lead times of 3-6 days, bunker availability continues to be good off Walvis Bay.

Durban has good bunker supply, with 2-4 days of lead time advised, a trader said. LSMGO supply remains dry.

By Samantha Shaji

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online