ARA fuel oil stocks remain stable

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have held steady in January so far, according to Insights Global data.

Changes in monthly average ARA stocks from December to January (so far):

• Fuel oil stocks down 10,000 bbls to 6.83 million bbls
• Gasoil stocks up 320,000 bbls to 15.16 million bbls

The region has imported 248,000 b/d of fuel oil in January so far, up from the 188,000 b/d imported in December 2025, according to cargo tracker Vortexa. Most supplies have come from Nigeria (16%), Brazil, Poland (12%) and Greece (10%).

The ARA has exported 210,000 b/d of fuel oil in January thus far, considerably more than the 140,000 b/d shipped in December. Cargoes have departed for Spain (20%), Malaysia, Saudi Arabia (15%) and the U.S. (12%) among other destinations.

The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – have edged 2% higher in January so far, compared to December, according to the Insights Global data.

The ARA has imported 257,000 b/d of gasoil in January, slightly higher than the 244,000 b/d imported in December, according to Vortexa data. A majority of the shipments have arrived from India (33%) and the U.S. (17%).

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO bunker supplies are tight in the ARA bunkering hub, with buyers advised to book between 5-7 days in advance to get better coverage from suppliers, while HSFO deliveries are available more readily, a trader said.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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