Bunker demand weak in Singapore

VLSFO availability good in Zhoushan

Prompt bunker supply tight in Fujairah

IMAGE: Unloading bulk carrier at Shibaura Pier, Port of Tokyo. Getty Images



Singapore and Malaysia

Bunker demand in Singapore has been “soft” so far this week, a source said. VLSFO availability has improved, with recommended lead times now at 7–10 days. By contrast, last week delivery times varied widely between suppliers, ranging from eight days to nearly two weeks.

HSFO availability remains stable, with lead times unchanged at 8–12 days. LSMGO supply has improved, with the delivery window narrowing to 4–8 days from 5–10 days last week.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil inventories have averaged 5% higher so far this month than in August, according to Enterprise Singapore data. The port has recorded a 3% rise in net fuel oil imports this month. Both imports and exports have fallen in absolute terms, with imports down by 1.37 million bbls and exports posting a steeper decline of 1.49 million bbls.

Meanwhile, the port’s middle distillate stocks have increased by 5% this month to 9.86 million bbls, marking their highest level since June.

At Malaysia’s Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO remain readily available, with prompt supply possible for smaller parcels. HSFO continues to face tightness.

East Asia

Bunker demand in Zhoushan remains weak, with VLSFO lead times steady at 4–7 days. HSFO and LSMGO, however, now require 4–7 days, up from 3–5 days previously.

Fuel availability in northern China is uneven. Dalian and Qingdao both hold ample stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, though HSFO remains tight in Qingdao. All fuel grades are in short supply in Tianjin.

In Shanghai, VLSFO and HSFO availability is under strain, while LSMGO supply is comparatively stable. Further south, conditions differ by port: supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is constrained in Fuzhou; Xiamen has sufficient VLSFO but limited LSMGO; and delivery options for both grades are limited in Yangpu and Guangzhou.

In Hong Kong, lead times are steady at around seven days for all fuel types.

In Taiwan, VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries can typically be arranged within two days in Kaohsiung, Hualien and Keelung, and within three days in Taichung.

In South Korea, lead times of 4–9 days are recommended for all grades, nearly unchanged from 3–9 days previously.

VLSFO availability remains tight across major Japanese ports, including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Mizushima, Nagoya and Yokkaichi. LSMGO supply is generally sufficient nationwide, although prompt deliveries in Mizushima may still encounter delays.

B24-VLSFO availability in Tokyo, Chiba, Kawasaki and Yokohama remains limited to enquiry-based supply. HSFO availability is steady at most Japanese ports, but Oita is facing shortages across all three grades — VLSFO, LSMGO and HSFO.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available at Kwinana, Fremantle and Port Kembla, with most suppliers quoting lead times of 7–8 days.

In New South Wales, LSMGO and HSFO supply in Sydney remains steady, though HSFO deliveries depend on barge schedules, as the port is served by a single barge.

Victoria’s ports of Melbourne and Geelong hold sufficient stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, but HSFO remains limited, especially for prompt demand.

Further north in Queensland, both Brisbane and Gladstone have adequate volumes of VLSFO and LSMGO, with average lead times of around seven days. HSFO in Brisbane, however, is only available on enquiry.

In New Zealand, VLSFO deliveries remain stable at Tauranga and Auckland.

South Asia

Bunker supply in Sri Lanka has tightened, with one supplier now advising lead times of about seven days for all grades, up from just three days last week.

Middle East

Prompt bunker supply remains tight in Fujairah across all grades, with recommended lead times of 5–7 days, a situation mirrored at the nearby port of Khor Fakkan.

In Iraq’s Basrah, VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available, but HSFO remains limited. Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah continues to face limited availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO.

Egypt’s Port Suez is facing severe shortages, with VLSFO, LSMGO and HSFO stocks nearly depleted. In Qatar’s Ras Laffan, suppliers are struggling with tight supply of VLSFO and LSMGO.

Djibouti is facing acute scarcity, with VLSFO and HSFO almost exhausted and LSMGO in short supply. In contrast, Oman’s ports — including Sohar, Salalah, Muscat and Duqm — continue to maintain stable LSMGO availability.

By Tuhin Roy

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