VLSFO and HSFO availability tight in Singapore

Bad weather may disrupt bunkering in Zhoushan

Bunker availability tight across all grades in Fujairah

IMAGE: Bunker barge at berth in Fujairah, UAE. Port of Fujairah

Singapore and Malaysia

In Singapore, prompt availability across all grades remains very tight. VLSFO lead times continue to fluctuate widely. Some suppliers can deliver in seven days, while others recommend booking up to three weeks in advance.

HSFO and LSMGO supply has also tightened, with lead times of around 7-11 days and around six days respectively. Some LSMGO suppliers can require more than two weeks.

At Malaysia’s Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO remain widely available, with prompt deliveries possible for smaller parcels, while HSFO supply remains tight.

East Asia

Prompt availability in Zhoushan has improved slightly amid muted bunker demand as well as bad weather conditions, a source said. HSFO and LSMGO lead times are around four days now. VLSFO lead times are around 5-7 days – the same as last week.

In China’s Dalian and Qingdao, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is good. HSFO is tight in Qingdao. Tianjin continues to face shortages across all fuel grades.

VLSFO and HSFO supplies are tight in Shanghai, while LSMGO is comparatively stable. Meanwhile in Fuzhou, VLSFO and LSMGO remains tight. Xiamen has adequate VLSFO but scarce LSMGO.

In Hong Kong, lead times for all fuel grades remain at around seven days. VLSFO is very tight in Hong Kong, according to another source.

Taiwan’s bunker supply is steady, with VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries possible within two days at Keelung, Taichung, and Hualien.

In South Korea, prompt availability across all bunker grades remains extremely tight even as demand improved following the country’s Golden Holiday week. Lead times can go up to 11 days across all grades.

Supply schedules at South Korean ports are still exposed to weather-related disruptions, caused by the lingering effects of Typhoon Nakri.

In Japan, prompt VLSFO supply is still tight across key ports – including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Mizushima, Nagoya, and Yokkaichi, while LSMGO is promptly available.

Oceania

In Western Australia, prompt availability for VLSFO and LSMGO is good in Kwinana and Fremantle, with expected lead times of around 7 days – like last week. Strong afternoon winds can occasionally disrupt bunkering operations in the area.

VLSFO and LSMGO stocks remain readily available in Sydney, while HSFO can be tight. Lead times of around seven days are preferred across all grades.

In Queensland, VLSFO and LSMGO are good for prompt deliveries at Brisbane and Gladstone, with lead times of about seven days. HSFO in Brisbane is available on request. Gladstone may experience occasional weather-related delays.

VLSFO and LSMGO is also readily available at the ports of Melbourne and Geelong, while HSFO availability is tighter.

In New Zealand, VLSFO is readily available at Tauranga and Auckland.

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

South Asia

In Sri Lanka, bunker supply has improved at Colombo and Hambantota, with one supplier now requiring three days of lead time across all grades.

Middle East

In Fujairah, prompt bunker supply remains tight across all fuel grades despite subdued demand. Lead times are recommended at 5-7 days, another source said.

“Most suppliers are not entertaining bigger [VLSFO] stems due to instability of the market and due to shortage of cargo, and prices are seen with premium for big quantity stems,” the source added.

In Iraq’s Basrah, VLSFO and LSMGO are available, while HSFO supply remains limited. LSMGO availability in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah has improved from last week but VLSFO is still tight.

Egypt’s Port Suez is facing severe shortages, with VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO stocks almost depleted. Qatar’s Ras Laffan is also facing tight availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, with VLSFO supply possible only through barge at the anchorage.

Djibouti is experiencing a major shortage, with VLSFO and HSFO supplies almost exhausted and LSMGO running low.

Oman’s ports – including Sohar, Salalah, Muscat, and Duqm – are also low on VLSFO and LSMGO stocks.

By Aparupa Mazumder

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