The ARA's independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 17% higher in September so far compared with August's monthly average, according to Insights Global data.

Changes in monthly average ARA stocks from August to September (so far):

• Fuel oil stocks up around 779,000 bbls to 5.40 million bbls
• Gasoil stocks up around 274,000 bbls to 12.35 million bbls

Fuel oil stocks have increased by around 49% from May, when they hit their lowest level in more than a decade. However, inventories remain 16% below February levels, the month before conflict broke out in the Middle East and disrupted oil and gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

The ARA hub has imported around 297,000 b/d of fuel oil in September so far, down from around 342,000 b/d in August, according to Vortexa cargo flows data.

Most shipments have arrived from Mexico (24%), Benin (19%) and France (15%).

Meanwhile, the region has exported around 106,000 b/d of fuel oil in September so far, down from around 144,000 b/d in August, mainly to Puerto Rico (25%), the US (20%) and Spain (16%).

The region's independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil - have risen by 2% in September so far, compared to August, according to the Insights Global data.

The region has imported around 141,000 b/d of gasoil in September so far, down from an average of around 155,000 b/d imported in August, according to Vortexa data. A majority of shipments have arrived from the US (28%), Germany (13%) and the UK (11%).

Fuel availability remains tight in the ARA bunkering hub for prompt delivery dates, and suppliers are recommending lead times of 5-7 days for all fuel grades, a trader told ENGINE.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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