VLSFO lead times vary widely in Singapore

South Korean ports face weather disruptions

LSMGO supply good across Omani ports

IMAGE: Aerial daytime view of Tokyo port, Japan. Getty Images


Singapore and Malaysia

VLSFO delivery schedules in Singapore continue to vary significantly between suppliers. Some can provide delivery within five days, while others require advance booking of up to three weeks. This represents a marginal improvement from the previous week's range of seven days to four weeks.

LSMGO delivery times have shown better improvement, with most suppliers now advising 2-6 days compared to 4-7 days last week. HSFO lead times have expanded to 8-13 days, showing greater variability than the previous week's 4-9day range.

Singapore's residual fuel oil inventories have been 6% higher on average so far in July compared to June levels, according to Enterprise Singapore data. The port experienced a 21% surge in net fuel oil imports in July, with imports climbing by 1.52 million bbls while exports increased by only 1 million bbls. Conversely, middle distillate inventories at the port have declined, averaging 11% below June levels so far this month.

At Malaysia's Port Klang, both VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are easily accessible with immediate deliveries available for smaller quantities. However, HSFO availability remains constrained.

East Asia

In Zhoushan, VLSFO supply remains steady despite weak demand, with suppliers maintaining lead times of 6-7 days, essentially unchanged from the previous week's six days. HSFO delivery times also hold at approximately 6-7 days, similar to last week's six-day timeframe. LSMGO lead times remain stable at around 6-7 days as well.

Bunker operations at Zhoushan's outer anchorages, Tiaozhoumen and Xiazhimen, have been halted since yesterday due to poor weather. Most suppliers expect full bunkering activities in the OPL area to resume after 25 July, according to a source.

Across northern China, Dalian and Qingdao maintain good availability for both VLSFO and LSMGO, though Qingdao faces limited HSFO supply. Tianjin shows tighter conditions with shortages across all three fuel grades—VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO. Shanghai continues experiencing restricted supplies of VLSFO and HSFO, while LSMGO availability remains relatively stable.

In southern regions, supply conditions differ by port. Fuzhou faces tight availability for both VLSFO and LSMGO. Xiamen has adequate VLSFO but limited LSMGO supplies. Both Yangpu and Guangzhou are experiencing constraints for prompt deliveries of VLSFO and LSMGO.

In Hong Kong, lead times across all fuel grades remain stable at approximately seven days. However, adverse weather conditions are expected between 22-23 July, which may disrupt bunker delivery schedules.

In Taiwan, VLSFO and LSMGO lead times at Kaohsiung and Taichung ports stand at around three days, virtually unchanged from the previous week. Other major ports including Hualien and Keelung offer shorter lead times, typically requiring about two days for delivery.

In South Korea, LSMGO supply remains constrained with inconsistent lead times spanning 3-11 days, showing little change from the previous week. VLSFO and HSFO availability stays stable in the South Korean ports, where recommended lead times have increased slightly to 3-5 days from approximately three days last week.

Adverse weather conditions threaten to disrupt bunker operations across several Korean ports. High waves are expected to interrupt activities at Busan, Daesan, and Taean from 26-28 July, while Yeosu may experience delays during the same period due to a combination of high waves and strong winds.

Prompt VLSFO availability continues to face constraints at numerous major Japanese ports, including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Mizushima, Nagoya, and Yokkaichi.

LSMGO maintains good stock levels throughout Japan, although Mizushima experiences challenges with prompt delivery. HSFO supply remains stable at most Japanese ports. Oita faces tight supply conditions across all fuel grades.

Weather disruptions are expected to affect bunker deliveries across several Southeast Asian ports. Thailand's Koh Sichang and Laem Chabang ports face potential interruptions from 22-28 July due to adverse conditions. In Vietnam, rough seas are likely to impact operations at Ho Chi Minh from 22-28 July and at Hai Phong on 22 July. The Philippines' Subic Bay may also experience weather-related delays from 25-28 July.

Calaca Seaport Terminals in the Philippines continues facing moderate sea conditions and heavy rainfall due to the southwest monsoon. Vessel docking remains suspended at Calaca Seaport until weather conditions improve, according to GAC Hot Port News.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available at Kwinana, Fremantle, and Port Kembla, with suppliers generally recommending 7-8 day lead times. In New South Wales, Sydney maintains stable LSMGO supply, though prompt HSFO deliveries remain difficult to secure.

Victoria's ports of Melbourne and Geelong have strong availability for both VLSFO and LSMGO. However, HSFO supply remains constrained, particularly for immediate delivery requirements.

Moving north to Queensland, Brisbane and Gladstone maintain well-stocked inventories of VLSFO and LSMGO, with average lead times of around seven days. Brisbane continues to experience tight HSFO availability.

In New Zealand, VLSFO supply is adequate at both Tauranga and Auckland. However, bunker operations in Tauranga may encounter disruptions on 28 July due to forecasted adverse weather conditions.

South Asia

Adverse weather is expected to impact bunker operations at several Indian ports, including Kandla and Sikka from 22–26 July, Visakhapatnam from 24–26 July, and Mumbai from 23–26 July.

In Sri Lanka, a supplier in Colombo and Hambantota continues to recommend lead times of around four days for all fuel grades, with little change from the previous week. However, rough weather forecast in Colombo between 22–23 July may temporarily disrupt bunker activities.

Middle East

Fujairah continues experiencing tight prompt bunker availability, with lead times for all fuel grades remaining steady at 5-7 days, similar to conditions at nearby Khor Fakkan.

Iraq's Basrah maintains good availability for VLSFO and LSMGO, though HSFO supply remains limited.

In Saudi Arabia's Jeddah, both LSMGO and VLSFO supply continues facing constraints. Egypt's Suez port has low inventories across all three conventional bunker grades, VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO, with stocks nearly depleted. Port Said may experience operational disruptions on 25 July due to forecasted adverse weather.

Qatar's Ras Laffan faces tight supply conditions for both VLSFO and LSMGO. Djibouti operates under severe supply pressure, with VLSFO and HSFO stocks nearly exhausted and limited LSMGO availability. Expected adverse weather between 22-24 July could further complicate bunker deliveries at the port.

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

By Tuhin Roy

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