MACHINE: Prospects for East Suez Bunker Fuel Availability
– Bad weather stops bunkers at several Zhoushan ports
– Bunker demand is low at some South Korean ports
– LSMGO supplies goods to all Oman ports
Singapore and Malaysia
VLSFO delivery times remain inconsistent across suppliers, ranging from two days to 10 days, a slight increase from last week’s timeframe of 3–12 days.
HSFO availability has also increased, with waiting times tightened to 5–10 days from the previous 7–12 days. LSMGO supply has also increased, now taking 2–8 days to ship, compared to 3–10 days last week.
Residual fuel stocks in Singapore rose 4% on average so far this month compared to October, according to Enterprise Singapore. Fuel oil inventories at ports have risen past 25 million barrels, although net fuel imports have declined by 16% this month. Both sides of trade have declined – imports fell by 1.55 million barrels, while exports fell by 1.05 million barrels.
At the same time, mid-range distillate inventories in Singapore slumped, averaging 3% below last month.
Across the strait in Malaysia’s Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO remain easy to obtain, with supplies quickly available for smaller packages, while HSFO continues to face supply constraints.
East Asia
Demand for bunkers in Zhoushan remains weak. Suppliers still recommend a 4–6 day lead time for VLSFO, unchanged from last week. LSMGO guidelines are the same at 4–6 days. But HSFO now takes 5–7 days, up from 4–6 days last week.
Bad weather has halted operations at the outer ports of Tiaozhoumen and Xiazhimen since November 8, according to a source. Xiushandong briefly reopened at the weekend after a closure that began last Monday, only to halt operations again. The Mazhi inner harbor continues to function normally, and suppliers expect full activity across Zhoushan to resume tomorrow.
Fuel availability in northern China is uneven. Dalian and Qingdao have adequate VLSFO and LSMGO, although HSFO is still limited in Qingdao. Tianjin lacks all value. In Shanghai, VLSFO and HSFO are still limited, while LSMGO is relatively stable. Further south, Fuzhou lacks VLSFO and LSMGO; Xiamen has enough VLSFO but limits LSMGO. Delivery options are still limited for fuel in Yangpu and Guangzhou.
In Hong Kong, waiting times are around seven days for all grades, according to current rates. In Taiwan’s Keelung, Taichung, Hualien and Kaohsiung, VLSFO and LSMGO can usually be delivered within two days, with slight changes compared to last week.
Bunker demand in South Korea remains weak, with suppliers now recommending lead times of 4–7 days for all grades, compared with a wider lead time range last week of 2–9 days.
Weather disruptions are expected to complicate operations: Busan and Ulsan will experience disruptions from November 18 to 25–26, Yeosu on November 18–21 and 25–26, and Daesan on November 18, 20 and 23–26, a trader said.
In Japan, fast VLSFO remains strict at major ports such as Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Mizushima, Nagoya, and Yokkaichi.
LSMGO supplies are generally stable nationwide, although securing immediate delivery in Mizushima has proven difficult.
B24-VLSFO is only available on request in Tokyo, Chiba, Kawasaki and Yokohama. HSFO has tightened at most ports, and Oita is currently short of all grades—VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO.
In Vietnam, delivery of LSMGO and HSFO in Nha Trang and Quy Nhon usually takes around three days via truck supply. The same grades are also available by truck in Cua Lo, Nghi Son, Vung Ang, Son Duong and Hon La, according to the supplier.
Oceania
In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO remain easy to obtain in Kwinana and Fremantle, with suppliers typically working with a seven day lead time. Most deliveries are made by barge from a single supplier, while LSMGO can also be delivered by truck.
Strong afternoon winds disrupt operations from time to time.
In New South Wales, Port Kembla can supply VLSFO via truck and pipeline, with pipelines starting at 70 mt and smaller packages handled by truck. Sydney has one barge operating in addition to truck and pipe options at certain berths, although times often change based on naval and cruise ship traffic. VLSFO and LSMGO shares remain comfortable, while HSFO remains limited. Suppliers usually provide about seven days’ notice. Increased cruise ship traffic between December and February in Sydney, Cairns and Darwin could add further pressure.
Brisbane and Gladstone in Queensland continue to offer stable VLSFO and LSMGO with seven day lead times. HSFO in Brisbane is only available on request, and Gladstone still experiences occasional delays due to weather. Access to Brisbane’s AAT terminal remains difficult. Two barges are now operating at the port under different suppliers, both offering VLSFO and LSMGO, with HSFO supplied on request.
In Victoria, Melbourne and Geelong maintain strong VLSFO and LSMGO inventories, although HSFO remains in short supply for rapid delivery. Melbourne currently has enough HSFO to meet demand. Both ports rely on one barge, and Bass Strait weather can disrupt schedules. A seven-day waiting time remains standard. LSMGO can also be trucked to small ports such as Portland and Port Welshpool within 2–3 days.
Across Australia, bunker supplies are generally stable, with around seven days’ notice still the norm, although deliveries within 3–4 days are often possible, thanks to strong availability. Even ports that have pipeline systems, including Darwin and Dampier, still depend on truck supplies.
In New Zealand, availability also remains stable. VLSFO is widely supplied in Tauranga and Auckland, with Tauranga offering pipe access at select berths. Marsden Point can deliver VLSFO and LSMGO via pipeline to cargo ships.
The cyclone season in northern Australia, which runs from November to April, is expected to cause occasional disruptions.
South Asia
In Sri Lanka, suppliers offer fast delivery periods of 1–2 days for all fuel types in Colombo and Hambantota.
the middle East
Fujairah’s immediate supply of bunkers remains limited at all levels, with suppliers still facing low inventories and loading delays despite weak demand. The recommended waiting time is 5–7 days, similar to conditions in nearby Khor Fakkan.
In Basrah Iraq, VLSFO and LSMGO are still easy to obtain, while HSFO is still rare. Jeddah in Saudi Arabia is experiencing better VLSFO and LSMGO availability, although port congestion continues to slow shipping schedules.
Egypt’s Suez port is at the opposite extreme, with VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO running low. Qatar’s Laffan race is also tight on VLSFO and LSMGO, and Djibouti is under intense pressure, with VLSFO and HSFO running out and LSMGO running out.
Oman’s ports – Sohar, Salalah, Muscat and Duqm – remain stable, offering reliable LSMGO supplies with fast delivery dates.
Source: Machine, By Tuhin Roy
