Tight prompt LSMGO availability in Gibraltar

ULSFO and LSMGO readily available in Istanbul

Prompt LSMGO available in Luanda

IMAGE: Container ships and a bulk carrier in the Port of Durban. Getty Images

Northwest Europe

In the ARA hub, prompt deliveries of HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO remain challenging, with lead times steady at 7-8 days for all fuel grades, according to a trader.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have declined by 5% in June so far, according to Insights Global data. At 6.77 million bbls, the region’s fuel oil stocks have decreased further.

The ARA has imported 149,000 b/d of fuel oil this month, a slight decline compared to 176,000 b/d across May, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. Poland has been the ARA's topmost import source, making up about 35% of the total share. Other import sources include Germany (34%), the UK (25%) and Spain (6%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – have dipped by 5% compared to May's average. The ARA hub has imported 70,000 b/d in May, recording a steep decrease from May’s 315,000 b/d, Vortexa data shows.

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

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

Mediterranean

HSFO and VLSFO are readily available in the Gibraltar Strait ports, said a trader, while LSMGO is on the tighter side.

According to port agent MH Bland, two vessels are currently awaiting bunkers in Gibraltar - one due to limited barge availability, and the other due to a lack of space. Some suppliers are reporting delays of more than 12 hours. Though operations were halted on Tuesday night due to a lightning storm, they have since resumed and are underway, MH Bland clarified.

Suppliers in Algeciras are running about 2-12 hours behind schedule, it added.

Across the Strait, 11 vessels were expected to arrive for bunkers in Ceuta on Wednesday, shipping agent Jose Salama & Co said. According to MH Bland, wind gusts of up to 23 knots are forecast to hit the port on Thursday.

Lisbon continues to have good bunker supply and with recommended lead times of 3-5 days, according to a trader.

Bunker availability remains good with lead times of 3-4 days in Las Palmas, consistent with the last few weeks, a trader said. Weather conditions for the port are forecast to be suitable for bunkering in the coming week, according to a trader.

In Barcelona, VLSFO availability is back to normal and HSFO and LSMGO continue to remain readily available.

Off Malta, lead times of 3-5 days are advised for VLSFO and LSMGO. According to MH Bland, suppliers are not expecting delays in their bunker delivery schedules.

VLSFO supply is more limited in the Greek port of Piraeus, and lead times of 5-7 days advised for LSMGO, according to a trader. The trader also added that ULSFO and HSFO are available but lead times will be offered upon enquiry.

In Istanbul, prompt supplies of ULSFO and LSMGO are readily available with lead times of just 1-2 days advised. Meanwhile, HSFO and VLSFO availability is subject to enquiry.

Africa

After a few days of very tight availability, VLSFO is now readily available in Port Louis, according to a trader, along with good supply of HSFO and LSMGO.

Similarly, in Luanda, LSMGO is now readily available after days of tight availability. Along with VLSFO, 3-4 days of notice is recommended for both grades, a trader said.

With lead times of 3-6 days advised, prompt deliveries continue to be available off Walvis Bay.

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

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

By Samantha Shaji

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