VLSFO and LSMGO availability good in Port Klang

Bunkering remains suspended in Zhoushan’s OPL area

Availability good in Sri Lankan ports

IMAGE: Container ships and gantry cranes in Port Khor Fakkan, UAE. Sharjah Ports

Singapore and Malaysia

VLSFO delivery schedules in Singapore vary widely depending on the supplier. While some can deliver within three days, others require bookings up to three weeks in advance. This marks a tightening from last week’s range of 9–11 days.

HSFO now requires 7–12 days for delivery, slightly broader than the 9–11 days reported last week. LSMGO delivery times remain stable, with most suppliers quoting 5–8 days, nearly unchanged from the previous week.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks in July averaged 6% higher than in June, staying above 24 million bbls. This was driven by a sharp 38% increase in net fuel oil imports, which rose by 1.82 million barrels—far exceeding the 870,000-bbl increase in exports. In contrast, the port’s middle distillate stocks fell, averaging 17% lower in July compared to June, according to Enterprise Singapore.

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

East Asia

VLSFO supply in Zhoushan has shown slight improvement due to subdued demand, with most suppliers now recommending lead times of 4–6 days, down from 5–7 days last week. Delivery times for HSFO and LSMGO have also eased to 4–6 days, compared to the 5–7day range previously quoted.

However, bunker operations at Zhoushan’s Tiaozhoumen and Xiazhimen outer anchorages have been suspended since 4 August due to adverse weather, according to a source. These anchorages had already been closed since 21 July, with only a brief resumption over this past weekend. In contrast, operations are continuing without disruption at the more sheltered Xiushandong anchorage and the Mazhi inner anchorage. Most suppliers anticipate full resumption of bunkering across Zhoushan by 6 or 7 August, according to a source.

In northern China, Dalian and Qingdao have good availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO. However, Qingdao is currently experiencing limited HSFO supply, while Tianjin faces tight availability across all three grades - VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO.

In Shanghai, supply remains constrained for both VLSFO and HSFO, although LSMGO availability is relatively stable.

Further south, conditions vary by port. Fuzhou is experiencing tight supply of both VLSFO and LSMGO. Xiamen has sufficient VLSFO supply but limited LSMGO. Prompt delivery options remain restricted at Yangpu and Guangzhou for both VLSFO and LSMGO.

In Hong Kong, lead times for all fuel grades are stable at approximately seven days.

In Taiwan, lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO at Taichung and Kaohsiung ports remain steady at around three days, consistent with last week. Meanwhile, Hualien and Keelung offer shorter lead times of about two days, ensuring quicker delivery options at those ports.

Lead times for all fuel grades have slightly increased at several South Korean ports, now ranging between 3–8 days, up from 3–6 days the previous week.

In Japan, prompt VLSFO availability remains tight across key ports such as Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Mizushima, Nagoya, and Yokkaichi. While LSMGO stock levels are generally adequate nationwide, Mizushima is experiencing delays in fulfilling prompt deliveries. HSFO supply remains stable at most ports, although Oita is currently facing tight availability across all three fuel types—VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available at Kwinana, Fremantle, and Port Kembla, with most suppliers advising lead times of 7–8 days. In New South Wales, Sydney has a stable supply of LSMGO, but prompt HSFO deliveries remain difficult.

In Victoria, both Melbourne and Geelong have strong availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, while HSFO remains limited, particularly for prompt requirements.

Further north in Queensland, Brisbane and Gladstone maintain healthy stock levels of VLSFO and LSMGO, with lead times averaging around seven days. However, Brisbane continues to experience tight supply of HSFO.

In New Zealand, VLSFO availability is sufficient at both Tauranga and Auckland, ensuring consistent supply across both ports.

South Asia

In Sri Lanka, a supplier operating at both Colombo and Hambantota is now recommending lead times of around five days for all fuel grades, a slight increase from three days the previous week.

Middle East

Fujairah continues to experience tight prompt bunker availability across all fuel grades, despite relatively low demand. Lead times remain steady at 5–7 days, though some suppliers are still able to accommodate prompt stems, typically at premium prices. Similar supply conditions persist at nearby Khor Fakkan.

In Iraq’s Basrah, VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available, while HSFO supply remains limited. In Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah, availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO remains constrained.

At Egypt’s Suez port, inventories of all three major fuel grades, VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO, are running critically low, with stocks nearly depleted.

In Qatar’s Ras Laffan, supply is tight for both VLSFO and LSMGO. Djibouti is facing severe supply shortages, with VLSFO and HSFO stocks almost exhausted, and LSMGO availability also limited.

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

By Tuhin Roy

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