ARA fuel availability remains stable

Longer lead times advised for Piraeus

5-7-day lead times needed in Lagos

IMAGE: The Port of Piraeus in Athens, Greece. Getty Images

Northwest Europe

ARA’s fuel availability is stable this week, a trader said. To get wide supplier coverage, buyers are advised to enquire about LSMGO supplies around 4-5 days ahead, and 5-7 days for HSFO and VLSFO deliveries, a trader told ENGINE.

Independently held fuel oil stocks in the ARA bunkering hub have declined by 2% in September so far, according to Insights Global data.

The region has imported 235,000 b/d of fuel oil this month, a considerable increase from 179,000 b/d imported in August, according to cargo tracker Vortexa. Around 15% of these supplies have come from Greece, followed by Germany (13%) and the US (12%).

The ARA has imported 209,000 b/d of gasoil so far in September, more than the 187,000 b/d imported in August, according to Vortexa data. The UK has emerged as the region's top import source, supplying 21% of volumes, followed by Qatar (14%) and India (13%).

In Germany’s Hamburg, a lead time of 3-5 days is sufficient for delivery of all grades, a trader said.

In Scandinavia, buyers are advised to book stems with a notice of at least 10 days in Sweden’s Gothenburg and off Denmark’s Skaw, a trader said.

High wind gusts of more than 25 knots and waves between 1.5–2.5 metres are forecast off Skaw and in Gothenburg between 3-5 October and 9 October. Some deliveries may be shifted from Gothenburg to off Skaw, possibly causing further delays in supplies. Usually, waves above 2.5 metres can suspend operations.

Mediterranean

Traders are reporting a healthy number of enquiries for supplies in Gibraltar Strait. Prompt supplies are difficult, with HSFO stems requiring a longer lead time of 8-10 days, while VLSFO and LSMGO need a notice of 5-7 days, according to a trader.

At least 53 vessels are expected to call for bunkers in Gibraltar between 24 September-1 October, according to shipping agent A. Mateos & Sons.

In Gibraltar, Algeciras and Ceuta, wind gusts above 25 knots and waves over 1.3 metres are forecast on 28 September, between 1-2 October and between 4-6 October, which may disrupt supply.

There were only two vessels waiting for bunkers in Gibraltar on Wednesday, but supplies can still be delayed by anywhere between 2-12 hours, port agent MH Bland said.

In the neighbouring port of Algeciras, some deliveries are running up to 12 hours behind schedule, compared to last week when some supplies were late by almost a day, MH Bland added.

In Ceuta, bunker operations are proceeding normally and on time both at the anchorage and at the berth, shipping agent Jose Salama & Co said.

Fuel availability in the Canary Island bunkering hub of Las Palmas is tight for prompt deliveries, with buyers advised to book almost 10 days ahead for HSFO deliveries, and up to seven days ahead for some VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries, a trader said.

Barcelona’s fuel availability is stable but still requires around a week of notice for any fuel grade, a trader said.

In Portugal’s Lisbon, buyers can easily book supplies with around 3-5 days of lead time, a source said.

HSFO availability off Malta is very tight, with only one supplier currently able to deliver, a trader said. Availability of other grades is comparatively better but is still tight for prompt deliveries, the trader added.

In Greece’s Piraeus, buyers are advised to enquire about supplies of all fuel grades around 5-7 days ahead to get more competitive offers, while a firm enquiry is needed for prompter deliveries, a trader said.

Northern wind gusts of 20-25 knots are forecast in Piraeus between 26-27 September, which may suspend deliveries.

Prompt supplies of all fuel grades are readily available with recommended lead times between 1-5 days in Turkey’s Istanbul this week, a trader said.

Africa

VLSFO and LSMGO supplies remain tight in the Senegalese port of Dakar, a local supplier told ENGINE.

In Togo’s Lome, VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries require a lead time of 5-7 days, while HSFO supplies may need a longer lead time of more than a week, a trader said.

In Nigeria’s Lagos, HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are easily available, but buyers should preferably give a lead time of 5-7 days to book smaller quantities, and around two weeks of notice for larger volumes of up to 1,000 mt, a source told ENGINE.

In Sao Tome & Principe, a local supplier said they can easily deliver LSMGO in Sao Tome and at the Neves terminal.

Off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, the weather continues to remain inconsistent, with waves of above 2 metres forecast until 26 September, again between 29-30 September, and between 3-6 October. This may cause bunker delays in the area.

HSFO supplies remain tight off Walvis Bay, while buyers are advised to book almost a week ahead for VLSFO and LSMGO supplies, a trader said.

HSFO supplies have tightened in South Africa’s Durban and need almost a week of notice, while VLSFO supplies remain stable with 2-4 days of notice sufficient.

Wind gusts of more than 25 knots and waves over 2.5 metres are forecast in Durban on 28 September, 1 October and between 4-5 October, which may disrupt some bunker operations in the port. At least five vessels are expected to call at the port for bunkers between 23 September-2 October, according to shipping agent Trade Ocean.

Off Algoa Bay, Peninsula is expected to start supplying HSFO and VLSFO fuel grades from October, which could increase demand for bunkering in the port.

Wind gusts of above 22 knots and waves over 2 metres are forecast on 30 September and on 5 October, which may suspend all bunker operations there due to safety reasons and environmental regulations.

VLSFO supplies are tightening in Mozambique’s Maputo, while LSMGO availability remains good, a source said. In Nacala, the country’s other major bunkering hub, HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO fuel grades are readily available, the source added.

In Mauritius’ Port Louis, HSFO supply remains extremely tight, with buyers advised to enquire almost two weeks ahead to get a good selection of suppliers, a trader said. VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are available more easily, but a 5–7-day lead time is advised, the trader added.

Waves of up to 2 metres and wind gusts above 25 meters are forecast in Port Louis on 3 October, which may disrupt bunkering.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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