East of Suez Fuel Availability Outlook 18 Nov 2025

Bad weather keeps bunkering halted at some Zhoushan anchorages

Bunker demand low in several South Korean ports

LSMGO supply good across Omani ports

IMAGE: Asyad Terminal in Duqm. Asyad Terminal


Singapore and Malaysia

VLSFO delivery times remain inconsistent across suppliers, ranging from as quick as two days to as long as 10 days, a slight improvement from last week’s window of 3–12 days.

HSFO availability has also picked up, with lead times tightening to 5–10 days from the previous 7–12 days. LSMGO supply has strengthened as well, now requiring 2–8 days for delivery, compared with 3–10 days last week.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 4% higher so far this month than in October, according to Enterprise Singapore. The port’s fuel oil inventories have risen past 25 million bbls, even though net fuel oil imports have declined by 16% this month. Both sides of the trade have declined - imports are down by 1.55 million bbls, while exports have fallen by 1.05 million bbls.

At the same time, middle distillate inventories in Singapore have slipped, averaging 3% below last month.

Across the strait at Malaysia’s Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO remain easy to secure, with prompt supply available for smaller parcels, while HSFO continues to face tight availability.

East Asia

Bunker demand in Zhoushan remains subdued. Suppliers are still advising 4–6 days of lead time for VLSFO, unchanged from last week. LSMGO guidance is the same at 4–6 days. HSFO, however, now requires 5–7 days, up from last week’s 4–6 days.

Bad weather has halted operations at the Tiaozhoumen and Xiazhimen outer anchorages since 8 November, according to a source. Xiushandong briefly reopened over the weekend after a shutdown that began last Monday, only to suspend operations again. The inner Mazhi anchorage continues to function normally, and suppliers expect full activity across Zhoushan to resume tomorrow.

Fuel availability across northern China is uneven. Dalian and Qingdao have sufficient VLSFO and LSMGO, though HSFO is still tight in Qingdao. Tianjin is short on all grades. In Shanghai, VLSFO and HSFO remain limited, while LSMGO is comparatively steady. Further south, Fuzhou is short of both VLSFO and LSMGO; Xiamen has enough VLSFO but restricted LSMGO. Delivery options are still constrained for both fuels in Yangpu and Guangzhou.

In Hong Kong, lead times sit at about seven days for all grades, matching recent levels. At Taiwan’s Keelung, Taichung, Hualien, and Kaohsiung, VLSFO and LSMGO can typically be delivered within two days, with little change from last week.

Bunker demand in South Korea remains subdued, with suppliers now recommending 4–7 days of lead time for all grades, compared with last week’s broader 2–9-day range.

Weather disruptions are expected to complicate operations: Busan and Ulsan face interruptions from 18 to 25–26 November, Yeosu from 18–21 and 25–26 November, and Daesan on 18, 20, and 23–26 November, a trader noted.

In Japan, prompt VLSFO remains tight at major ports such as Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Mizushima, Nagoya, and Yokkaichi. LSMGO supply is generally stable nationwide, though securing immediate deliveries in Mizushima is proving difficult.

B24-VLSFO is only available on request in Tokyo, Chiba, Kawasaki, and Yokohama. HSFO has tightened across most ports, and Oita is currently short of all grades—VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO.

In Vietnam, LSMGO and HSFO deliveries in Nha Trang and Quy Nhon typically require about 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 a supplier.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO remain easy to source at Kwinana and Fremantle, with suppliers typically working on seven-day lead times. Most deliveries move 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 by both truck and pipeline, with pipeline runs starting at 70 mt and smaller parcels handled by truck. Sydney has one operating barge alongside truck and pipeline options at selected berths, though its timings often shift around naval and cruise traffic. VLSFO and LSMGO stocks remain comfortable, while HSFO stays limited. Suppliers usually advise about seven days of notice. A rise in cruise traffic between December and February across Sydney, Cairns, and Darwin may add further pressure.

Queensland’s Brisbane and Gladstone continue to offer steady VLSFO and LSMGO with seven-day lead times. HSFO in Brisbane is available only on request, and Gladstone still sees the occasional weather-related delay. Access to Brisbane’s AAT terminal remains difficult. Two barges now operate at the port under different suppliers, both offering VLSFO and LSMGO, with HSFO supplied on enquiry.

In Victoria, Melbourne and Geelong maintain strong inventories of VLSFO and LSMGO, though HSFO stays tight for prompt deliveries. Melbourne currently holds enough HSFO to meet demand. Both ports rely on a single barge, and Bass Strait weather can interrupt schedules. A seven-day lead time remains standard. LSMGO can also be trucked to smaller ports like Portland and Port Welshpool within 2–3 days.

Across Australia, bunker supply is broadly stable, with around seven days of notice still the norm, though deliveries within 3–4 days are often achievable, thanks to strong availability. Even ports with pipeline systems, including Darwin and Dampier, continue to rely partly on truck supply.

In New Zealand, availability remains steady as well. VLSFO is widely supplied at Tauranga and Auckland, with Tauranga offering pipeline access at specific berths. Marsden Point can deliver both VLSFO and LSMGO by pipeline to cargo vessels. The cyclone season in northern Australia, running from November to April, is expected to cause occasional disruptions.

South Asia

In Sri Lanka, a supplier is offering prompt delivery windows of 1–2 days for all fuel grades at both Colombo and Hambantota.

Middle East

Prompt bunker supply in Fujairah remains tight across all grades, with suppliers still dealing with low stocks and loading delays despite subdued demand. Lead times of 5–7 days are recommended, similar to conditions in nearby Khor Fakkan.

In Iraq’s Basrah, VLSFO and LSMGO remain easy to source, while HSFO is still scarce. Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah has seen better availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, though port congestion continues to slow delivery schedules.

Egypt’s Port Suez sits at the opposite extreme, with VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO nearly depleted. Qatar’s Ras Laffan is also tight on VLSFO and LSMGO, and Djibouti is under intense pressure, with VLSFO and HSFO almost gone and LSMGO close to running out.

Oman’s ports — Sohar, Salalah, Muscat, and Duqm — remain steady, offering reliable LSMGO supply with prompt delivery dates.

By Tuhin Roy

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