East of Suez Fuel Availability Outlook 5 May

Bunker availability tight in Zhoushan

Bunker supply extremely tight in Singapore

Fuel availability tight across all grades in Fujairah

IMAGE: Aerial view of Singapore container terminal. Getty Images

Singapore and Malaysia

Bunker fuel availability across all grades in Singapore is extremely tight. VLSFO delivery schedules in the port have stretched further, now ranging between 9-18 days, compared to 7-15 days previously. HSFO lead times have shortened slightly to 4-10 days from last week’s 7-12-day window. LSMGO availability has tightened as well, with lead times extending to 5-9 days.

There are very limited suppliers offering small HSFO parcels in Singapore, and a premium is expected for quantities of 500 mt and below, a trader said.

At Malaysia’s Port Klang, VLSFO supply remains relatively stable, especially for smaller prompt volumes. Tighter conditions persist for LSMGO, while HSFO availability continues to face constraints, making both grades increasingly difficult to secure.

East Asia

Availability in Zhoushan has tightened across all fuel grades, with several suppliers reporting low stocks. However, lead times in Zhoushan have shortened this week, with all grades now requiring around 5-7 days for delivery, down from last week's 8-10 days.

Bunker demand in China remained comparatively soft over the Chinese Labour Day holiday period from 1-5 May, with most suppliers not accepting new orders during this window.

Bunker availability across northern China remains mixed. Dalian and Qingdao are well supplied with VLSFO and LSMGO, although HSFO is tight in Qingdao. Tianjin is experiencing tight supply across all grades. In Shanghai, VLSFO and HSFO availability is limited, while LSMGO supply remains relatively stable.

In southern ports, availability is mixed – Fuzhou is tight on both VLSFO and LSMGO, Xiamen has adequate VLSFO but limited LSMGO, while Yangpu and Guangzhou remain constrained across both grades.

Bunker fuel availability in Hong Kong has tightened this week, with lead times for all grades holding at around seven days.

Taiwan’s bunker market remains steady, although HSFO stocks have completely depleted, according to another trader. Lead times are approximately three to four days for both VLSFO and LSMGO at Keelung, Hualien, Taichung and Kaohsiung.

There are no barges available at Suao and Hualien, the trader said. CPC Corporation is the only physical supplier in Taiwanese ports currently, the trader added.

In South Korea’s southern ports - Busan, Ulsan, Masan, Onsan, Yeosu and Kwangyang – availability of all three conventional bunker grades is tight. Recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO are at around 3-5 days.

Across western ports, including Incheon, Daesan, Dangjin, Pyeongtaek and Taean, lead times remain around five days for all grades, matching the previous week’s estimates.

Meanwhile, weather-related disruptions continue to pose risks in South Korean ports.

In Japan, supply conditions remain largely tight across key hubs such as Tokyo Bay, Nagoya and Osaka. “Overall tightness continues due to crude procurement constraints and Middle East tensions,” a trader said.

Recommended lead times stand at approximately 10-11 days for HSFO and VLSFO across major ports including Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka. LSMGO is extremely tight at Kashima, Mizushima, Tokuyama and Oita.

Oceania

Bunker supply across Australian ports has improved, although prices remain elevated and smaller suppliers are still constrained on volumes, a local trader said.

On the east coast, supply dynamics differ by location. In New South Wales, Port Kembla can deliver VLSFO via truck or pipeline. Sydney suppliers maintain healthy inventories of VLSFO and LSMGO, while HSFO remains limited, with lead times typically around a week.

In Western Australia, VLSFO deliveries in Kwinana and Fremantle typically require around a week’s lead time and are supplied by barge via a single provider.

In Queensland, ports including Brisbane and Gladstone are quoting about a week’s lead time for VLSFO and LSMGO. HSFO in Brisbane is available only on request. VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries are handled by two barges run by separate suppliers, while HSFO supply is subject to enquiry.

Supply is more stable in Victoria, with ample VLSFO stocks in Melbourne and Geelong, though prompt HSFO availability remains constrained. Bunkering at both ports is handled by a single barge, with lead times typically around a week.

Australia’s cyclone season, which usually runs from November to April, is coming to an end, reducing weather-related disruptions.

In New Zealand, supply remains stable, with VLSFO readily available in Tauranga and Auckland, including pipeline connections at some Tauranga berths. At Marsden Point, both VLSFO and LSMGO can be supplied directly to vessels via pipeline.

South Asia

In India, VLSFO supply still remains tight across Kandla, Sikka, Hazira and New Mangalore.

Weather conditions are expected to disrupt operations at several ports - including Kandla, and Sikka - between 5 and 7 May, potentially impacting bunkering activity.

Prompt availability is good in Sri Lanka, with Colombo and Hambantota holding ample stocks across all grades and at least one supplier able to deliver promptly.

Middle East

A recent drone attack in the UAE port of Fujairah has led to the suspension of all cargo operations, a source familiar with the matter said. The port’s OTB terminal is presently not operational, the source said.

However, general cargo operations at Fujairah Port remains active, with vessels continuing to call for loading and discharge of bulk and general cargo.

“Fujairah Anchorage remains fully operational, with vessels continuing to call for bunkering and husbandry services without disruption,” the source added.

Prompt bunker availability in Fujairah across all grades is very tight currently, another source said. Meanwhile, LSMGO availability is tight at Djibouti port.

Operations at Kuwait’s Shuaiba and Shuwaikh continue without disruption. Saudi Arabia has not issued any official notices, but bunker supply in Jeddah remains constrained, especially for VLSFO. However, LSMGO availability has improved this week.

In Qatar, bunkering is proceeding without issues at Hamad, Doha and Al Ruwais, with operations also ongoing at Mesaieed and Ras Laffan. However, VLSFO and LSMGO supply remains constrained in Ras Laffan, while in Al Ruwais deliveries are limited to smaller vessels such as dhows and barges.

By Aparupa Mazumder

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