Longer lead times advised for LSMGO in Rotterdam

LSMGO and ULSFO availability improving in Istanbul

Bad weather could limit bunkering to anchorage in Walvis Bay

IMAGE: The Europoort area in the Port of Rotterdam. Getty Images

Northwest Europe

LSMGO availability in the ARA bunkering hub has tightened significantly for prompt deliveries. Most suppliers now operate with longer lead times of around 6-7 days, compared to 3-4 days last week, a trader said. VLSFO and HSFO deliveries still require a notice of 5-7 days for coverage from a good selection of suppliers, the trader added.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks averaged 6.22 million bbls in September, a drop of around 5% from August, according to Insights Global data. That was the lowest monthly average this year.

The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil –jumped to average 14% higher in September.

In Germany’s Hamburg, a notice of 3-5 days is still sufficient for delivery of all fuel grades, a trader told ENGINE.

In Gothenburg and off Skaw, a lead time of at least 10 days is advised to secure supplies of any fuel type due to tight availability, a trader said. Wind gusts of more than 25 knots and waves of around 2.5 metres are forecast between 10-11 October, which could delay or suspend bunkering.

Mediterranean

Prompt delivery of any fuel type is challenging in the Gibraltar Strait, with lead times of 8-10 days advised for HSFO, and 5-7 days for VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries, a trader said.

At least 40 vessels are expected to call at the port of Gibraltar for bunkering between 8-17 October, according to shipping agent A. Mateos & Sons.

There were three vessels waiting for bunkers in Gibraltar on Wednesday, and some suppliers were delayed by around 4-6 hours, down from delays of around 12-24 hours last week, port agent MH Bland said. In neighbouring Algeciras, some deliveries can run around 24-32 hours behind schedule, MH Bland added.

In Ceuta, all supplies at berth and anchorage are proceeding without delays, shipping agent Jose Salama & Co said.

Wind gusts of more than 25 knots and waves of around 2 metres are forecast in Gibraltar, Algeciras and Ceuta on 11 October, which may cause bunker suspensions or delays.

In Las Palmas, fuel supplies remain tight for prompt deliveries, and buyers are advised to enquire about stems with at least a week of lead time to avoid paying high premiums, a trader told ENGINE.

Swells of around 2 metres are forecast in Las Palmas until 11 October. Bunkering has been suspended at the port's outer anchorage, port agent MH Bland said. Deliveries can still be carried out at the inner anchorage and at berth, but operations there may be delayed due to a lack of space, the port agent added.

In Spain’s Barcelona, deliveries of all fuel grades may require around 5-7 days of lead time, a trader said.

Off Malta, rough weather early in the week limited bunkering to Area 4. This has created a backlog of deliveries, a trader said. The weather is expected to improve gradually this week, for bunkering to become possible again in Area 3, port agent MH Bland said. After that happens, 3-4 days of lead time will be enough to secure supplies of LSMGO, ULSFO, HSFO and VLSFO fuel grades, a trader said.

In Greece’s Piraeus, deliveries of any fuel type typically require three days of notice, a source told ENGINE.

Availability of LSMGO and ULSFO in Türkiye’s Istanbul is slowly improving, after being tight last week. VLSFO supplies remain tight, a local supplier said.

Africa

In Togo’s Lome, HSFO availability is very tight, while LSMGO and VLSFO deliveries can be arranged with around seven days of lead time, a trader said.

All fuel types can be delivered in Nigeria’s Lagos, but buyers are always advised to book with longer lead times to arrange the deliveries, a local supplier told ENGINE.

LSMGO remains immediately available in Sao Tome & Principe, a local supplier told ENGINE.

HSFO deliveries remain extremely tight off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, while buyers are advised to book around 7-10 days ahead for VLSFO and LSMGO supplies, a trader said. High waves of more than 2 metres are forecast off Walvis Bay until 23 October, which may limit most bunker operations to anchorage.

Bad weather conditions continue in South Africa’s Algoa Bay, too. Wind gusts of more than 22 knots and waves of more than 2 metres are forecast off Algoa Bay on 9 October, 13 October and 15 October. Bunker operations could get suspended.

Rough weather in Algoa Bay has shifted more enquiries towards Durban and Richards Bay. In both ports, HSFO can be delivered with around a week of notice, while VLSFO can be delivered in around 2-4 days.

At least six vessels are expected to call at Durban for bunkering between 8-19 October, according to Transnet Port Authority.

Stronger wind gusts of more than 30 knots and waves of more than 2.5 metres are forecast in South Africa’s Durban on 16 October, which may suspend bunker operations.

Fuel availability of all grades is good in Mozambique’s northern bunkering hub of Nacala, a source told ENGINE. In the southern port of Maputo, LSMGO availability has tightened, while VLSFO availability is stable, the source added.  

HSFO availability is extremely tight in Port Louis’ Mauritius. Buyers are advised to book almost two weeks ahead, a trader said. VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are relatively stable, but may still need around a week of notice each, the trader added.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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