Bunker demand low in Singapore

Several South Korean ports brace for Typhoon Halong-induced bad weather

VLSFO and LSMGO availability good in Oceanic ports

IMAGE: Cargo ships docked at Tauranga Harbour Port with Mount Maunganui in the background. Getty Images


Singapore and Malaysia

Despite “slow” bunker demand in Singapore, VLSFO availability has tightened, with lead times increasing from 7–10 days last week, to 8–14 days now. HSFO and LSMGO require lead times of around 6–10 days, compared to last week's 8–10 days and 4–8 days, respectively.

The port’s residual fuel oil stocks averaged 2% lower in September than in August, though inventories stayed above 24 million bbls, according to Enterprise Singapore. This came despite a 13% drop in net fuel oil imports, with imports falling by 919,000 bbls and exports down by 437,000 bbls. In contrast, Singapore’s middle distillate stocks rose, averaging 4% higher in September compared with August.

At Malaysia’s Port Klang, both VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available, with prompt deliveries possible for smaller parcels, while HSFO supply continues to be tight.

East Asia

Bunker demand in Zhoushan remains weak, with recommended lead times of around 10–12 days across all fuel grades.

Although overall fuel availability is reported as normal, demand across Chinese ports is expected to stay subdued this week due to the ongoing Golden Week holidays (1–8 October). Most suppliers are only handling pre-booked stems, and new bookings for delivery before 10 October are currently not being accepted, according to a source.

In Hong Kong, lead times remain steady at about seven days for all fuel types.

Taiwan’s bunker market is stable, with VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries typically arranged within three days at Keelung, Hualien, Taichung, and Kaohsiung — largely unchanged from last week. 

In South Korea, bunker availability has improved amid sluggish demand during the country’s seven-day Golden Holiday (3–9 October).

Lead times of around 3–7 days are currently recommended across all grades, according to a source. Last week, HSFO and LSMGO required 9–10 days for delivery at both western and southern ports, while VLSFO supply remained subject to enquiries.

However, supply schedules remain vulnerable to disruptions from Typhoon Halong, which has brought bad weather across the region. Bunker operations may face interruptions in Busan and Ulsan between 7–11 October, in Yeosu from 9–13 October, and in Daesan on 9 October and again between 12–14 October.

In Japan, prompt VLSFO supply continues to be tight at key ports including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Mizushima, Nagoya, and Yokkaichi.

LSMGO is generally well supplied nationwide, though prompt deliveries in Mizushima may still encounter delays. B24-VLSFO remains available only upon enquiry at Tokyo, Chiba, Kawasaki, and Yokohama. HSFO availability is steady across most ports, but Oita is facing shortages of all grades — VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO.

Typhoon Halong, currently located over the Pacific south of Japan and moving west-northwest, is expected to strengthen further and approach Japan’s Izu Islands by Thursday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The resulting adverse weather could further disrupt bunker operations at certain Japanese ports.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available at Kwinana and Fremantle, with most suppliers quoting lead times of around seven days. Deliveries are mainly conducted by barge from a single supplier, while LSMGO can also be supplied by truck. Afternoon strong winds can occasionally disrupt bunkering operations, a source said.

In New South Wales, Port Kembla offers VLSFO supply via both truck and pipeline, with a minimum pipeline delivery volume of 70 mt and smaller parcels available by truck. In Sydney, one barge operates alongside truck and pipeline options at select berths, though barge schedules are sometimes affected by naval activity and cruise liner movements. VLSFO and LSMGO are generally well stocked, while HSFO supply can be limited. Lead times of around seven days are preferred across all grades.

In Queensland, VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains good at Brisbane and Gladstone, both maintaining lead times of about seven days. HSFO in Brisbane is only available on request, while Gladstone can face occasional weather-related delays. Berth access at Brisbane’s AAT terminal can also be challenging. The port now operates two barges, each run by separate suppliers, both offering VLSFO and LSMGO, with HSFO supplied on enquiry.

Victoria’s ports of Melbourne and Geelong maintain good stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, though HSFO availability is tighter, particularly for prompt deliveries. At present, HSFO is well stocked in Melbourne. A single barge serves both ports, with Bass Strait weather occasionally affecting operations. A seven-day lead time is generally recommended. LSMGO can also be delivered by truck at smaller regional ports such as Portland and Port Welshpool, where typical lead times are 2–3 days.

Overall, Australian ports are maintaining stable bunker supply, with a general recommendation of seven days’ lead time — though most ports can usually deliver within 3–4 days thanks to healthy availability. Ports with pipeline systems, such as Darwin and Dampier, often rely partly on truck support, which can affect consistency of supply.

In New Zealand, bunker operations are stable, with VLSFO readily available at Tauranga and Auckland. Tauranga also provides pipeline access at certain berths, while Marsden Point can supply both VLSFO and LSMGO via pipeline at jetties where vessels are engaged in cargo operations.

The cyclone season in northern Australia, running from 1 November to 30 April, is expected to periodically disrupt bunkering activity, the source added.

South Asia

Severe Cyclonic Storm Shakhti, which brought heavy rainfall to western India, is expected to weaken gradually by the end of the day. Sea conditions, however, are forecast to remain rough to very rough along the Gujarat–North Maharashtra coastline. Coastal districts in Gujarat — including Dwarka, Jamnagar, and Surat — may continue to experience heavy rainfall during this period.

Although warning signals have been raised, port operations across the region are reported to be running normally, with no stoppages so far, according to GAC Hot Port News.

In Sri Lanka, bunker supply remains steady in Colombo and Hambantota, with one supplier now quoting lead times of around five days for all grades — slightly longer than the prompt availability seen last week.

Middle East

Prompt bunker supply remains tight in Fujairah across all grades, with recommended lead times of 5–7 days — a situation also seen at the nearby port of Khor Fakkan. In Iraq’s Basrah, VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available, though HSFO supply remains constrained.

Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah continues to face limited availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO, while Egypt’s Port Suez is grappling with severe shortages, with stocks of VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO nearly depleted. In Qatar’s Ras Laffan, suppliers are also struggling with tight VLSFO and LSMGO availability.

Djibouti is experiencing acute scarcity, with VLSFO and HSFO supplies almost exhausted and LSMGO running low. In contrast, Oman’s ports — including Sohar, Salalah, Muscat, and Duqm — continue to report stable LSMGO availability.

By Tuhin Roy

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online