Bunker availability stable in the ARA hub

Prompt supplies tight in the Gibraltar Strait

LSMGO supplies tight off Malta

IMAGE: View of the entrance to the Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands. Getty Images

Northwest Europe

Availability of VLSFO, HSFO and LSMGO in the ARA hub is good, but securing prompt supplies can be difficult, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of 5-7 days are advised for all grades.

Independently held fuel oil stocks in the ARA hub have declined by 6% in July so far, according to Insights Global data.

At 6.3 million bbls, ARA fuel oil stocks are at their lowest monthly average so far this year.

Cargo tracker Vortexa’s data shows that the region has imported 184,000 b/d of fuel oil in July so far, an increase from 133,000 b/d in June. The UK has been the top import source, accounting for 17% of the region's total fuel oil imports. Other key sources include France (15%) as well as Portugal, Denmark and Poland (10% each).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – have dropped by 8% in July so far, compared to June. The ARA hub has imported a total of 152,000 b/d to date this month, slipping down from June’s 164,000 b/d, Vortexa data shows.

In Scandanavia, lead times of 10 days are advised for Sweden’s Gothenburg and Denmark’s Skaw offshore, according to a trader.

Another trader reported good availability in Germany’s Hamburg, with lead times of 3–5 days recommended.

Mediterranean

Prompt supplies are tight for all fuel grades at the Gibraltar Strait ports, a trader said. HSFO lead times have increased to 8-10 days in all ports from last week's 5-7 days, while lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO remain unchanged at 5-7 days. 

A significant increase in congestion has been reported at the port of Gibraltar this week, with nine vessels awaiting bunkers due to barge unavailability, according to port agent MH Bland. Some suppliers have been running 4-8 hours behind schedule, down from 6-12 hours of delays last week, the port agent added.

A trader has reported tight supply and 7–10-day lead times for all grades in Las Palmas.

Another trader said Barcelona continues to require 5–7 days of lead time for all grades.

Availability at Portugal’s Lisbon also remains normal, according to a source.

HSFO and VLSFO bunker supply is stable off Malta, a source said. LSMGO supplies are a bit tight, but securing prompt deliveries remains possible. Lead times of 1-5 days are recommended, the source added. 

Lead times of 1-6 days continue to be advised for all grades at the Greek port of Piraeus.

The Turkish port of Istanbul continues to have normal supplies, according to a trader.

Africa

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

Availability of VLSFO, LSMGO and HSFO is good in Mozambique's Nacala. VLSFO and LSMGO are also readily available for delivery in Maputo, and the earliest delivery date for LSMGO is three days out.  

VLSFO availability is good in South Africa’s Durban, with recommended lead times of 2-4 days. LSMGO supply remains dry in the South African port.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO remains good off Walvis Bay, with lead times of 5-7 days advised for both fuel grades, while HSFO availability is tight, a trader said.

There is currently no fuel available at Luanda anchorage but re-supply is expected next week, a trader said. Offshore supply is normal, the trader added.

In Togo’s Lome, getting prompt deliveries of HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO is challenging, according to a trader.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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