Bunker demand low in Singapore

VLSFO and LSMGO availability good in Port Klang

Prompt supply tight across several Japanese ports

IMAGE: Container ship at Colombo port, Sri Lanka. Getty Images


Singapore and Malaysia

In Singapore, VLSFO lead times remain highly variable despite weak demand. Some suppliers are quoting as little as six days, while others advise booking up to two weeks in advance due to long-term nominations, which are typically contract-based stems that take priority over spot demand. However, this marks a slight improvement from last week when lead times ranged from 5–21 days.

Most suppliers now recommend LSMGO lead times ranging from 2–8 days, compared to the 4–6 days typically required last week. HSFO lead times in Singapore have increased to 9–14 days, up from 7–12 days last week.

In Malaysia’s Port Klang, both VLSFO and LSMGO remain readily available, with prompt delivery possible for smaller quantities. However, HSFO supply remains tight.

East Asia

In Zhoushan, VLSFO availability remains stable amid muted demand, with lead times holding steady at around 5–7 days—unchanged from last week. HSFO requires lead times of around 4–6 days, compared to around five days last week. LSMGO supply has improved, with lead times dropping to 2–4 days from around five days last week.

In northern China, both Dalian and Qingdao continue to offer good availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, though HSFO remains in short supply in Qingdao. Tianjin, meanwhile, is facing tight supply across all three grades: VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO.

In Shanghai, supply remains tight for both VLSFO and HSFO, while LSMGO inventories are holding up well. Further south, supply conditions vary—Fuzhou is seeing limited availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO, while Xiamen has adequate VLSFO but restricted LSMGO supply. In Yangpu and Guangzhou, prompt deliveries of both VLSFO and LSMGO continue to be difficult.

In Hong Kong, lead times for all fuel grades remain steady at seven days.

The VLSFO bunker barge Chung Yu No. 22 returned to Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on 27 June after maintenance, according to CPC Corporation. VLSFO supply at the S01–S19 area, including Intercontinental Container Terminal II, had been suspended since 28 February due to the maintenance. During this period, another barge covered around 80% of the port’s VLSFO demand, a source said.

In Taiwan, Kaohsiung requires around three days lead time for both VLSFO and LSMGO, while shorter lead times of about two days are sufficient at other key ports of Hualien, Taichung, and Keelung.

In South Korea, LSMGO availability has tightened as more bunker buyers turn to South Korean ports, where the grade is cheaper than in nearby Chinese ports. Busan’s LSMGO price is currently $17/mt lower than Zhoushan’s.

Lead times for LSMGO now vary widely between 4–10 days, compared to around 5–6 days last week. VLSFO lead times remain steady at approximately 4–6 days, while HSFO still requires about five days—nearly unchanged from the previous week.

Bunkering operations in Ulsan, Onsan, and Yeosu could face disruptions due to high waves forecast between 5–7 July.

VLSFO supply remains strong at major Japanese ports including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, and Kawasaki. However, prompt availability is limited in Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, and Mizushima, and remains particularly tight in Nagoya and Yokkaichi.

LSMGO is generally well-stocked nationwide, but prompt deliveries are challenging in Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, and Mizushima. HSFO supply is stable overall, though prompt delivery is similarly restricted in those ports.

In Oita, availability across all fuel grades continues to be tight.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available at Kwinana, Fremantle, and Port Kembla, with suppliers advising lead times of 7–8 days. However, anchorage off Port Kembla has been suspended since 30 June due to gale-force winds. While the port remains open for harbour movements, pilotage may be disrupted, with shipping decisions made on a case-by-case basis, according to GAC Hot Port News.

In New South Wales, LSMGO supply remains stable in Sydney, but prompt HSFO deliveries continue to face difficulties. Victoria’s ports—Melbourne and Geelong—have good availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO, though HSFO remains limited, especially for prompt deliveries.

In Queensland, VLSFO and LSMGO are well-stocked in Brisbane and Gladstone, with typical lead times of around seven days. HSFO supply in Brisbane, however, remains tight.

Over in New Zealand, VLSFO is sufficiently available in both Tauranga and Auckland. Still, bunker operations in Tauranga may be impacted by adverse weather forecast from 3–6 July.

South Asia

VLSFO supply remains tight at several Indian ports, including Mundra, Kandla, Mumbai, Tuticorin, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Cochin, and Haldia, extending the trend seen in recent weeks.

LSMGO availability across most Indian ports continues to be subject to enquiry.

In Sri Lanka, lead times for all fuel grades at Colombo and Hambantota have come down to around six days, down from approximately eight days the previous week.

Middle East

A US-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel has temporarily calmed market volatility at Middle Eastern ports.

“Conditions have stabilised, and things are running much more smoothly now,” a source said.

In Fujairah, VLSFO availability has improved, with lead times decreasing to around six days from about nine days last week. LSMGO and HSFO still require lead times of approximately 5–6 days, remaining largely unchanged week-on-week.

In Iraq’s Basrah, both VLSFO and LSMGO remain readily available, though HSFO supply continues to be limited. In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO remains constrained.

At Egypt’s Suez port, stocks of all three conventional bunker grades—VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO—are nearly depleted. In Qatar’s Ras Laffan, supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is currently tight. Djibouti is also under significant supply pressure, with VLSFO and HSFO nearly out of stock and LSMGO availability limited.

In contrast, Omani ports—including Sohar, Salalah, Muscat, and Duqm—continue to report stable LSMGO supply.

By Tuhin Roy

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