Prompt supplies are tight in the Gibraltar Strait

Weak HSFO demand in Istanbul

Reduced lead times at Nigeria’s Lagos anchorage

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

Northwest Europe

Fuel availability has improved slightly in the ARA bunkering hub, but prompt supplies remain tight for all fuel grades. Buyers are advised to book around 5-7 days ahead to get competitive offers from a wider selection of suppliers, a trader told ENGINE.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have jumped by 14% in November so far, according to Insights Global data. Meanwhile, the region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – have slipped by 2% in November, compared to October, according to the data.

Bunker deliveries of all fuel types in Germany’s Hamburg require around 3-5 days of notice, a trader told ENGINE.

Off Denmark’s Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, deliveries of all fuel grades require at least 10 days of lead time, a trader said.

Mediterranean

Fuel availability is normal in Gibraltar Strait ports, amid strong demand. Immediate deliveries of all fuel grades are challenging, with VLSFO and LSMGO supplies requiring around a week of notice, a trader said. HSFO lead times have been slightly reduced to 7-10 days this week, compared to last week when most suppliers said they needed at least two weeks of lead time, the trader added.

Some suppliers in Gibraltar now face around two days of delays, compared to last week when some suppliers were running just 4-6 hours behind schedule, port agent MH Bland said. In neighbouring Algeciras, some suppliers continue to operate almost a day behind schedule, while all suppliers are running on time in Ceuta, port agent MH Bland said.

Southwesterly wind gusts of between 25-40 knots and westerly waves of up to 2 metres are forecast in Gibraltar Strait ports between 14-15 November, which may disrupt bunker operations.

Supplies in Las Palmas are also tight for prompt dates, but lead times have improved, with most suppliers requiring around 5-7 days for VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries and around 10 days for HSFO, a trader told ENGINE. Last week, one supplier required around two weeks of lead time for all deliveries.

Adverse weather conditions are forecast in Las Palmas in the coming days. Waves of around 2 metres are forecast intermittently between 13-21 November. This may suspend of all bunker operations at the port's outer anchorage. During such suspensions, deliveries might still be able to be carried out at the inner anchorage and at berth, but may face some delays due to lack of space.

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

Availability is normal in Portugal’s Lisbon, with buyers are advised to give 3-5-day notice, a local supplier told ENGINE.

Supplies are proceeding normally off Malta, with a 2-4 day notice enough for supplies of HSFO, ULSFO, LSMGO and VLSFO fuel grades, a trader told ENGINE. Strong southerly wind gusts of between 25-30 knots and high waves are forecast between 18-19 November, which may suspend bunkering.

In Greece’s Piraeus, buyers are advised to give a lead time of around 3-4 days for deliveries of all fuel grades to avoid paying a premium, a trader said.

In Istanbul, ULSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are stable and available promptly, with a notice of 1-5 days advised. HSFO availability is very tight, a local supplier said.

Africa

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains tight in the Togolese port of Lome and off Namibia’s Walvis Bay. Most suppliers advise lead times of around 5-7 days in both locations, a trader said. HSFO availability is very tight in both locations, with suppliers struggling to load cargoes, the trader added.

At Nigeria’s Lagos anchorage, recommended VLSFO and LSMGO lead times have come down to around five days, from 10-14 days last week, a source told ENGINE.

LSMGO availability is normal in Sao Tome and supplies are available on a prompt basis, a local supplier told ENGINE.

In South Africa’s Durban and Richards Bay, HSFO availability is tighter than for VLSFO, with the former requiring around a week of lead time, compared to just 2-3-day notice required for VLSFO, a trader said.  

At least six vessels are expected to call for bunkers in Durban between 14-19 November, Transnet National Port Authority said. 

Transnet National has issued a weather warning for 13 November, when southerly wind gusts of more than 25 knots and waves of more than 3 metres are forecast, which could suspend bunkering. Rough weather is forecast intermittently until Saturday evening.

In Mauritius’ Port Louis, HSFO supplies could require a lead time of around 14 days, while VLSFO and LSMGO supplies can be carried out with a notice of around 5-7 days, a trader said.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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