The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have increased by 4% in August so far, according to Insights Global data.

Changes in monthly average ARA stocks from July to August (so far):

• Fuel oil stocks up 220,000 bbls to 6.5 million bbls
• Gasoil stocks down 290,000 bbls to 13.23 million bbls

At 6.5 million bbls, fuel oil stocks in the ARA bunkering hub have risen from 2025’s lowest monthly average recorded in July.

The region has imported 133,000 b/d of fuel oil in August thus far, down from 192,000 b/d imported in July, according to cargo tracker Vortexa.

Germany has emerged as the top import source, supplying around 30% of the fuel oil, followed by Greece (24%) and the UK (18%).

The region has exported 243,000 b/d of fuel oil so far this month, considerably higher than 173,000 b/d exported in the previous month, Vortexa’s data shows.

Almost 40% of these fuel oil shipments have departed for Norway, followed by 21% for the US.

The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – has dropped by 2% in August so far from July.

The ARA hub has imported 263,000 b/d of gasoil so far this month, much higher than 185,000 b/d imported in July, according to Vortexa data.

The majority of gasoil imports has arrived from Saudi Arabia (51%), with Spain supplying 26% of the total.

Availability of all fuel grades remains stable in the ARA hub, but securing prompt deliveries can be challenging, according to a trader.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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