Long HSFO lead times in Gibraltar

ULSFO very tight off Malta

Ample biofuel availability in Dutch ports

IMAGE: Aerial view of the Bay of Gibraltar. Getty Images

Northwest Europe

Fuel supply is normal in the ARA this week, a trader said. Buyers are advised to give a lead time of 4-5 days for LSMGO supplies, while VLSFO and HSFO deliveries might require a longer notice of 5-7 days, the trader added.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks dropped by 4% in September, data from Insights Global shows.

The region imported 238,000 b/d of fuel oil last month, a significant increase from the 179,000 b/d imported in August, according to cargo tracker Vortexa. Around 22% of these supplies came from Greece, followed by Germany (11%) and the UK (10%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – jumped 14% from August to September, according to the Insights Global data. The ARA imported 233,000 b/d of gasoil in September, up from 187,000 b/d in August, according to Vortexa data. Most cargoes arrived from Qatar (18%), the UK (11%) and Saudi Arabia (10%).

In Hamburg, Germany’s biggest bunkering hub by port calls, a lead time of 3-5 days is enough for delivery of all fuel grades, a trader told ENGINE.

Off Denmark’s Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, buyers are advised to enquire about stems with a lead time of at least 10 days due to tight availability, a trader said.

Stronger wind gusts of between 25-55 knots are forecast in both locations between 4-13 October, accompanied by waves between 1.5-2.5 metres high. This could suspend or delay bunkering operations there.

Additionally, availability of biofuels is steady in the ARA, especially in the Netherlands. Dutch suppliers are incentivised by the country's HBE ticketing system to stock and sell biofuels, a source told ENGINE. In the Baltic Sea region, Sweden and Finland have the best biofuel availability. Availability is also good in Germany.

Mediterranean

Traders have received a good number of enquiries for deliveries in the Gibraltar Strait. Prompt supplies remain difficult though. Advised lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO are at 5-7 days, while HSFO deliveries may need longer lead times of more than 10 days, according to a trader.

At least 50 vessels are expected to call at the port of Gibraltar for bunkering between 1-8 October, according to shipping agent A. Mateos & Sons.

Wind gusts of around 25 knots and waves of up to 1.5 metres are forecast between 5-6 October in Gibraltar, Algeciras and Ceuta, which could suspend bunkering at times.

There were five vessels waiting for bunkers in Gibraltar on Wednesday, and one supplier is delayed by anywhere between 12-24 hours, port agent MH Bland said.

In neighbouring Algeciras, some deliveries are running up to 12 hours behind schedule, MH Bland added.

Deliveries in Barcelona may require around one week of notice, a trader said.

In Las Palmas, fuel supplies are 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.

In Portugal’s Lisbon, buyers are advised lead times of 3-5 days, a source said.

ULSFO availability off Malta is now only given on firm enquiry, while other fuel grades are easily available, a trader said. Lead times of 3-4 days are advised for HSFO deliveries, while VLSFO and LSMGO can be supplied within two days, the trader said.

Northeastern wind gusts of 25 knots and waves of above 1.5 metres are forecast in Malta’s offshore bunkering areas on 7 October, which may suspend bunkering.

In Greece’s Piraeus, LSMGO, HSFO and ULSFO deliveries can be delivered with a notice of just two days, while VLSFO availability is given on firm enquiry, a trader said.

VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are tight in Turkey’s Istanbul and buyers are advised to enquire with longer lead times for more competitive offers, a source said.

Africa

VLSFO and LSMGO availability in the Senegalese port of Dakar is given on firm enquiry, a local supplier told ENGINE.

In the Togolese port of Lome, VLSFO, LSMGO and HSFO deliveries may need almost a week of notice, a trader said.

All fuel types remain available in Nigeria’s Lagos, and buyers are advised lead times of 5-10 days depending upon quantity, a source told ENGINE.

HSFO supplies remain tight off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, while buyers are advised to book almost a week ahead for VLSFO and LSMGO supplies, a trader said. Higher swells of over 2 metres are forecast continuously off Walvis Bay between 2-13 October, which could limit ship-to-ship deliveries to anchorage areas only.

The weather is inconsistent in South Africa’s Algoa Bay, with wind gusts of over 22 knots and waves of over 2 metres forecast between 2-7 October, which may suspend bunkering. 

The bad weather has moved some enquiries to Durban this week, boosting demand there, a trader said. At least five vessels were expected to call at Durban for bunkering this week, according to shipping agent Trade Ocean.

HSFO availability is tight in Durban for prompt supply and may require 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 2 October, 4 October, 7 October and 12 October, which may suspend bunkering.

In Mauritius’ Port Louis, HSFO supply remains extremely tight, with buyers recommended lead times of almost two weeks to get offers from 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.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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