ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (2 April 2024)

The following article regarding regional bunker fuel availability outlook for the East of Suez region has been provided by online marine fuels procurement platform ENGINE for publication on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

• Prompt HSFO availability improves in Singapore
• Low bunker demand in Zhoushan
• VLSFO and LSMGO supply tight in several Indian ports

Singapore and Southeast Asia

In Singapore, lead times for VLSFO have fluctuated significantly in recent weeks. Most suppliers recommend up to 14 days of lead time, while some can accommodate stems within five days in the port. This is slightly longer than the week prior, when lead times ranged between 3-12 days.

Prompt availability for HSFO has slightly improved in the port, with recommended lead times of 7-11 days, down from 8-14 days last week. LSMGO can be arranged within 2-7 days, a source said.

VLSFO and LSMGO grades are readily available in Malaysia’s Port Klang. Lead times of 3-5 days are recommended by several suppliers. Some suppliers can accommodate even faster delivery for smaller parcel sizes. However, HSFO availability remains very tight due to limited product availability with suppliers.

In Indonesian ports of Jakarta and Surabaya, availability of VLSFO and LSMGO remains good. Additionally, the port of Balikpapan has ample supply of VLSFO.

China and East Asia

Prompt availability of all bunker fuel grades remains good in Zhoushan, with several suppliers recommending lead times of 2-5 days – largely unchanged from last week.

In north China, Dalian continues to have plenty of VLSFO and LSMGO supply available, while Tianjin faces shortages across all fuel types. Qingdao has sufficient availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, but HSFO supply is subject to enquiry. In the southern port of Shanghai, availability of VLSFO and LSMGO has improved, though HSFO availability remains strained. In Fuzhou, Yangpu, Guangzhou, and Xiamen, both low-sulphur fuel grades are readily available.

In Hong Kong, all types of bunker fuel are readily available because of average bunker demand. Lead times of 3-5 days are recommended for smooth coverage.

Prompt availability has also improved in South Korean ports amid weak bunker demand. Most suppliers project short lead times of around four days across all grades, down from 7-10 days last week. Rough weather is forecast intermittently throughout this week and may impact bunkering in the South Korean ports of Ulsan, Onsan, Busan, Daesan, Taean, and Yeosu.

Suppliers in Koh Sichang in Thailand anticipate difficult bunkering conditions intermittently throughout the week due to adverse weather conditions.

South Asia

In the Indian ports of Tuticorin, Haldia, Paradip, Kandla, Cochin and Visakhapatnam, supply of VLSFO and LSMGO remains constrained, with delivery prospects subject to availability.

In Mumbai, one supplier has nearly depleted its VLSFO stock, while LSMGO availability remains strained. Conversely, in Chennai, on the southern coast of India, both grades are more available, with recommended lead times of only 2-3 days.

However, intermittent rough weather is forecast throughout this week and could potentially impact bunkering in the Indian ports of Kandla, Sikka, and Visakhapatnam.

Middle East

Many ships continue to avoid transit through the Red Sea due to constant attacks by the Houthis and instead opt for the longer journey around Cape of Good Hope. This shift in shipping routes has gradually dented bunker demand in Fujairah.

Despite a slowdown in demand, prompt availability remains tight in the UAE port of Fujairah. Many suppliers are suggesting lead times of about 7-10 days for all grades, similar to last week. Additionally, prompt availability of all grades is also tight in the UAE port of Khor Fakkan, with unchanged lead times of 7-10 days.

In the port of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, both VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available. But in the nearby port of Djibouti, some suppliers are facing a VLSFO supply crunch, while LSMGO supply remains steady.

Meanwhile, in the Omani ports of Sohar, Salalah, Muscat, and Duqm, there is a healthy supply of LSMGO.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 3 April 2024