Bunker availability improves in the ARA hub

VLSFO supply good in Durban

Prompt supply tight in Port Louis

IMAGE: Aerial view of container port and ship in Istanbul. Getty Images

Northwest Europe

All bunker fuel grades are now readily available in the ARA hub, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times have reduced to 5-7 days for all grades, remaining stable for VLSFO and down from last week’s 9-10 days for HSFO and LSMGO.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have dropped by 5% in July so far, according to Insights Global data.

At 6.31 million bbls, fuel oil stocks at the ARA hub are at their lowest monthly average so far this year.

The ARA hub has imported 211,000 b/d of fuel oil in July so far, a significant increase from June’s 133,000 b/d, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. France has accounted for about 19% of the region's total fuel oil imports so far this month. Other key sources include the UK (16%), Portugal (13%) and the US (10%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – have fallen by 7% in July so far, compared to June. The ARA hub has imported a total of 136,000 b/d so far this month, a decrease from June’s 164,000 b/d, Vortexa data noted.

Lead times of 10 days are advised for Gothenburg and off Skaw, according to a trader.

All fuel grades are readily available in Germany's Hamburg port, with recommended lead times of 3-5 days, another trader said.

Mediterranean

After a few weeks of strained availability, all grades are now readily available in Gibraltar Strait ports, according to a trader. Lead times of 5-7 days are recommended.

Slight congestion has been reported in Gibraltar this week.

Four vessels were waiting to receive bunkers in Gibraltar on Wednesday morning, up from two on Tuesday, according to port agent MH Bland. Some suppliers were running 6-12 hours behind schedule on Wednesday, the port agent added.

Bunker supply is tight in Las Palmas, with recommended lead times of 7-10 days, up from 5-7 days last week, a trader said.

Lead times remain steady in Barcelona at 5-7 days, according to a trader.

Off Malta, prompt bunker supply is good with recommended lead times between 1-5 days for all grades, a source said.

Lead times for all grades have improved in the Greek port of Piraeus, with suppliers offering deliveries within 1-5 days, a trader said. VLSFO supply has improved at the port.

Istanbul continues to report good bunker availability, according to a trader.  

Africa

Prompt supply of all fuel grades is tight in Port Louis. Lead times of 7-10 days are advised for VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries, a trader said.

VLSFO supply is good in Durban, requiring lead times of 2-4 days. LSMGO supply is still dry in the South African port.

Supply of VLSFO and LSMGO grades is stable off Walvis Bay, with lead times of 5-7 days recommended, while HSFO supply is very tight, a trader said.

Securing prompt deliveries of HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO can be difficult in Lome, according to a trader. Weather-related disruptions are forecast at Lome until 29 July, according to a source.

By Samantha Shaji

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