ARA availability tight due to cargo loading delays

HSFO supplies tighten across all major hubs

Piraeus deliveries delayed due to high demand

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

Northwest Europe

Availability of HSFO and LSMGO is tight in the ARA bunkering hub as suppliers are facing reloading delays. More than a week of notice is recommended for deliveries of both fuel types. VLSFO continues to require at least 5-7 days of lead time, a trader said.

Independently held fuel oil stocks in the ARA have fallen by 5% from September to October so far, according to Insights Global data. The fuel oil stocks are now at their lowest monthly average of the year.

Meanwhile, the region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – have averaged 3% higher in October, according to the data.

In Germany’s Hamburg, all bunker supplies are proceeding normally, with around 3-5 days of lead time enough to secure deliveries, a trader said.

Fuel availability remains tight off Denmark’s Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, with the earliest delivery dates around 10 days out, a trader told ENGINE. Wind gusts of between 25-30 knots or more are forecast in these locations on 30 October, and between 1-5 November, which may suspend operations and lead to further delays.

Mediterranean

Prompt supplies remain tight in the Gibraltar strait ports, with a week of notice required for VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries, a trader said. HSFO remains very tight with buyers advised to enquire about stems more than two weeks ahead, the trader added.

A total of 46 vessels were expected to call for bunkers at Gibraltar between 29 October-5 November, shipping agent A. Mateos & Sons said.

Strong wind gusts suspended operations in the Port of Gibraltar on Wednesday. The winds calmed into Thursday, but the suspended operations caused congestion in the port, with around 10 vessels currently awaiting bunkers. Most suppliers now face delays of around 4-8 hours compared to just one supplier running around 6-8 hours late before the disruption, port agent MH Bland said.

A total of 46 vessels were expected to call for bunkers at Gibraltar between 29 October-5 November, shipping agent A. Mateos & Sons said.

In neighbouring Algeciras, some suppliers may be delayed by as much as 18 hours, MH Bland added.

Additionally, easterly wind gusts of more than 25 knots and waves of over 2 metres are forecast in Gibraltar, Algeciras and Ceuta between 9-10 November, which may suspend traffic and cause further bunkering delays.

Las Palmas’ HSFO supplies remain very tight, with most suppliers requiring around 14 days of lead time, while VLSFO and LSMGO can typically be fixed with a shorter 5-7-day notice, a trader said.

High swells of above 1.5 metres are forecast in Las Palmas between 8-10 November, and may cause disruptions at the outer anchorages, while operations could still proceed normally at the inner anchorage and at the berth.

In Barcelona, all deliveries need around 5-7 days of notice, a trader said.

All supplies are proceeding normally off Malta, with around 2-3 days of notice sufficient to arrange deliveries of all fuel types. Weather is forecast to be stable until at least 13 November, with moderate gusts below 15 knots and low swells.

In Greece’s Piraeus, availability remains normal for all products, but most suppliers are facing high demand for HSFO and LSMGO, which is causing some congestion due to lack of enough barges, a local supplier said. Most suppliers are able to deliver any fuel type in the port between 3-6 November at the earliest, a trader told ENGINE.

In Istanbul, ULSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries are proceeding normally, with a lead time of 1-5 days advised for all fuel grades, while HSFO deliveries are very tight, a local supplier told ENGINE.

Africa

In Togo’s Lome, and off Walvis Bay in Namibia, HSFO availability remains extremely tight, a trader told ENGINE. For VLSFO and LSMGO supplies at these locations, buyers are advised to enquire with a lead time of around a week to get better coverage from a wide selection of suppliers, the trader said.

Higher swells of around 2 meters are expected to keep bunkering limited to anchorage until at least 5 November.

In Nigeria’s Lagos, fuel supply has tightened significantly of recent, with one local supplier saying it requests buyers to use a lead time of at least 10-14 days for all fuel grades.

HSFO availability is a bit tight in the South African ports of Durban and Richards Bay, with buyers requested to give around one week of notice for deliveries. VLSFO supplies are relatively easier. with shorter lead times of 2-3 days advised in both ports, a trader told ENGINE.

Demand is slowly picking up in Port Elizabeth, Algoa Bay, another trader told ENGINE.

At least four vessels are expected to call for bunkers at Durban between 31 October and 13 November, shipping agent Trade Ocean said.

Transnet Port Authority has issued a weather warning for all operations in Durban on 31 October, when strong wind gusts of around 25 knots and waves as high as 3 metres are forecast in the port area. Most bunkering operations could be suspended.

Similar weather conditions are also forecast on 9 November and 13 November, which may again disrupt bunker operations in the port.

In Mauritius’ Port Louis, HSFO supplies remain very tight with most suppliers requesting a lead time of more than two weeks, a trader said. VLSFO and LSMGO supplies require a shorter notice of around a week, the trader added.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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