Congestion reported in Gibraltar

VLSFO demand down, LSMGO up in East Med ports

Rough weather forecast in Las Palmas

IMAGE: Two ships at the Levante dock in Ceuta. Port of Ceuta

Northwest Europe

Availability of all fuel grades is stable in the ARA bunkering hub this week. Buyers are advised to enquire about stems 3-4 days ahead for LSMGO, and 5-7 days ahead for VLSFO and HSFO, to get a good selection of suppliers.

ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have fallen by 3% this month so far, according to Insights Global data.

The region has imported 187,000 b/d of fuel oil in September so far, slightly more than the 179,000 b/d imported in August, according to cargo tracker Vortexa. France has been the top supplier, contributing around 29% of total imports, followed by Tunisia (28%) and Sweden (24%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – have surged by 12% so far this month, compared to August. The ARA hub has imported 345,000 b/d of gasoil in September so far, a sharp jump from 187,000 b/d in August, according to Vortexa data. Most of these supplies have come from India (56%), followed by Sweden (18%) and Spain (11%).

Availability is tight off Denmark’s Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, with buyers advised to enquire with a 10-day lead time in both locations, a trader said.

In Germany’s Hamburg, supplies continue to proceed normally with lead time of 3-5 days sufficient to get deliveries of all grades, another trader said.

Mediterranean

Getting prompt deliveries remains difficult for all fuel grades in Gibraltar, Algeciras and Ceuta, with a notice of 8-10 days advised for HSFO deliveries and 5-7 days for VLSFO and LSMGO, a trader said.

Demand remains strong with traders reporting a good number of enquiries for supplies in the ports.

At least 49 vessels are expected to call for bunkers in Gibraltar between 10-20 September, shipping agent A. Mateos & Sons said.

Some congestion has also been reported in the port this week, with 11 vessels awaiting bunkers there on Wednesday, and some suppliers are running anywhere between 2-12 hours behind schedule, port agent MH Bland said.

In neighbouring Algeciras, some supplies are delayed by almost a day, while one supplier is running 4-6 hours behind in Ceuta, MH Bland added.

Prompt supplies remain tight in Las Palmas. HSFO supplies may around 10 days of notice. For VLSFO and LSMGO, buyers are advised to enquire around 5-7 days before, a trader said.

Weather conditions at Las Palmas are forecast to continue to be rough between 11-19 September, with wind gusts between 15-20 knots and waves close to 2 metres. Operations in the port's outer anchorage could be impacted by the weather, while supplies at the inner anchorage and at the berth could be delayed, MH Bland said.

Meanwhile, supplies in Barcelona might require a seven-day lead time, a trader said.

Availability of all fuels is stable at Portugal’s Lisbon, according to a source.

In the Eastern Mediterranean region, all fuel grades are readily available off Malta with lead times between 1-5 days, a trader told ENGINE.

VLSFO is seeing low demand in the area with lead times provided only on firm enquiry in Piraeus and Istanbul, the trader said.

LSMGO has been more in demand since the Mediterranean Emission Control Area (MedECA) came into force on 1 May, the trader added. At least 285 LSMGO stems, 92 ULSFO stems, 79 VLSFO stems and 22 HSFO stems have been fixed at Istanbul in the last three months, according to ENGINE’s fuel quality data.

Meanwhile, a lead time of three days is required for HSFO and LSMGO supplies in Piraeus, and 1-2 days of notice is required for LSMGO and ULSFO supplies in Istanbul, the trader said. HSFO is available in Istanbul on firm enquiry, a local supplier said.

Weather conditions in Istanbul are forecast to be rough during the evening hours of 13 September, with wind gusts more than 25 knots forecast, which could cause temporary disrupt operations there.

Africa

In Senegal’s Dakar, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are easily available with a lead time of 2-3 days advised, a source told ENGINE.

Prompt supply is tight in Togo’s Lome, with a notice of 7-10 days advised for HSFO and 5-7 days required for VLSFO and LSMGO, a trader said.

VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are very tight in Angola’s Luanda, a source said.

HSFO supplies remain tight off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, while VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are readily available. Buyers are advised to enquire about deliveries with a 5-7-day notice, a trader said. Waves of more than 2 metres are forecast off Walvis Bay between 13-18 September, which may make it difficult for ships to bunker in that area.

In South Africa’s Durban, VLSFO and HSFO availability is normal, with 2-4 days of notice enough for both grades.

LSMGO supplies are very tight, with some local suppliers delivering the fuel by truck. Demand for LSMGO is low because of high import duties. ENGINE’s fuel quality data shows there were at least 118 VLSFO stems fixed in in Durban the last three months, compared to at least 14 HSFO stems and eight LSMGO stems.

At least nine vessels are scheduled to call at Durban for bunkering between 7-28 September, according to shipping agent Trade Ocean.

On 17 September, wind gusts of more than 25 knots and waves of more than 5 metres are forecast at Durban, which could suspend bunkering.

In Mozambique, all fuel grades are easily available in the northern bunker port of Nacala, a source said. VLSFO supplies are very tight in Maputo in the south, while LSMGO may require four days of lead time, the source added.

HSFO deliveries in Mauritius’ Port Louis are extremely tight with at least 14 days of lead time required, a trader said. VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are stable, but 5-7 days of notice are still advised for both grades, the trader added.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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