Prompt LSMGO supplies tight in Istanbul

Lead times of 8-10 days for all grades in Gibraltar

Supplies expected to restart at Luanda anchorage this month

IMAGE: Aerial view of a cargo ship in transit in Istanbul, Türkiye. Getty Images

Northwest Europe

VLSFO, HSFO and LSMGO supply remains stable in the ARA bunkering hub, but stems should be booked around 5-7 days ahead as availability is tighter for immediate delivery with several suppliers, a trader told ENGINE.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have increased by 4% in August so far, according to Insights Global data. At 6.5 million bbls, the fuel oil stocks 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 (30%) has emerged as the top import source, followed by Greece (24%) and the UK (18%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – have dropped by 2% from July.

The ARA hub has imported 263,000 b/d of gasoil so far this month, much more than the 185,000 b/d imported in July, according to Vortexa data. Majority of gasoil imports have arrived from Saudi Arabia (51%), with Spain supplying 26% of the total.

In Scandinavia, 10 days of notice is recommended for supply of all grades off Skaw in Denmark and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, a trader told ENGINE.

In Germany’s Hamburg, fuel availability is normal, with lead times of 3-5 days required for all grades, another trader said.

Mediterranean

Getting prompt deliveries of HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO remains difficult across Gibraltar Strait ports, with lead times of 8-10 days recommended for HSFO and 5-7 days for VLSFO and HSFO.

All suppliers are delivering on schedule in Gibraltar, compared to one supplier that was running 4-6 hours behind schedule last week, according to port agent MH Bland.  Around 42 vessels are expected to call at Gibraltar for bunkering between 13-19 August.

Supplies are on time in Ceuta too, while some suppliers are running 2-12 hours behind schedule in Algeciras, MH Bland added.

Prompt deliveries are difficult to book in Las Palmas, with buyers advised to enquire about fuel around 10 days ahead for good coverage from suppliers, a trader said.

Immediate supply is tight in Barcelona, with seven days of notice required for all grades.

Fuel availability is normal in Portugal’s Lisbon, according to a source.

Getting prompt LSMGO deliveries is still challenging off Malta, while VLSFO and HSFO supplies are now easily available, a trader told ENGINE.

In Greece’s Piraeus, VLSFO lead times for are provided upon enquiry, while HSFO, ULSFO and LSMGO supplies are relatively easier, requiring lead times between 1-6 days, a trader said. Wind gusts of over 25 knots are forecast in Piraeus between 13-16 August and could make deliveries challenging.

In the Turkish port of Istanbul, prompt supply of LSMGO is a bit tight, and buyers are advised to enquire about stems with at least five days of lead time to get offers from a good selection of suppliers, a trader said.

A local supplier told ENGINE that after the Mediterranean Sea became an emission control area (ECA), there has been high demand for gasoil, accounting for almost 60% of all supplies at the port. Half of this is provided by the local refiner Tüpraş, while rest is imported, the supplier added.

HSFO, VLSFO and ULSFO availability is normal in the port, the trader and supplier both said.

North-eastern wind gust of more than 25 knots and waves up to 1.5 metres in height are forecast in Istanbul between 13-16 August, which could make conditions unsuitable for bunkering in the port.

Africa

Prompt deliveries are tight for all fuel grades in Togo’s Lome with 10 days of lead time recommended for HSFO and 5-7 days for VLSFO and LSMGO, according to a trader. Increased wave periods of more than 15 seconds are forecast at the port between 15-20 August, which could make it difficult for ships to re-fuel there.

Supplies are still unavailable at Angola’s Luanda anchorage, with re-supply expected later this month, according to a source. According to a trader that ENGINE spoke to, that re-supply could happen as early as Friday.

HSFO supplies are still dry off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, while VLSFO and LSMGO supplies remain normal, but still require around 5-7 days of lead times for both fuel grades, a trader said. Wind gusts of more than 25 knots and waves over 2.5 meters are forecast off Walvis Bay between 19-20 August and could disrupt bunkering.

VLSFO and HSFO supplies are stable in South Africa’s Durban, with recommended lead times of 2-4 days, while LSMGO is still unavailable. Wind gusts of over 25 knots and waves of up to 3 meters could complicate bunkering in the port between 16-17 August.

At Richard’s Bay, VLSFO is available with a notice of around 10 days.

Meanwhile, availability is now good at the Mozambican ports of Nacala and Maputo, a source told ENGINE.

HSFO availability is quite tight in Mauritius’ Port Louis, where some suppliers will be requiring buyers to book deliveries around two weeks before delivery. VLSFO and LSMGO supplies will also require around 10 days of notice. Wind gusts of over 25 knots and waves up to 2 meters are forecast at the port between 18-20 August, which could further increase the delivery times.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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