Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook 11 Feb

Suppliers in Gibraltar face backlogs

Fuel availability stable off Malta

Tight VLSFO and LSMGO availability at Dakar

IMAGE: Aerial view of the Bay of Gibraltar. Getty Images


Northwest Europe

In the ARA hub, supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO are tight for prompt delivery dates, with buyers advised lead times of between 5-7 days, a trader told ENGINE. HSFO is available more readily with a notice of 2-4 days, the trader added.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have slipped 7% in February thus far compared to January, according to Insights Global data.

The region has imported 96,000 b/d of fuel oil in February so far, falling sharply from the 215,000 b/d imported in January, according to cargo tracker Vortexa. Most supplies this month have arrived from Poland (45%) and Germany (35%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – increased 5% in February, compared to January, according to the Insights Global data.

The ARA imported 154,000 b/d of gasoil in February, lower than the 206,000 b/d imported in January, according to Vortexa data. The U.S. (39%) and Denmark (31%) have been the biggest contributors.

Bunker fuel availability is steady in Germany’s Hamburg, with a notice of around 3-5 days advised for all fuel grades, a trader said.

Fuel availability is tight in Sweden’s Gothenburg and off Denmark’s Skaw, with buyers recommended lead times of around 10 days for all fuel grades, a trader told ENGINE.

Mediterranean

Inbound traffic has resumed in Gibraltar after disruptions that lasted around two weeks, though congestion persists at the port.

About 12 vessels are currently waiting to bunker there and some suppliers are delayed by around 12-18 hours, according to port agent MH Bland.

Around 44 vessels are scheduled to call at Gibraltar for bunkers between 11–17 February, shipping agent A Mateos & Sons said.

Buyers looking to bunker in the Gibraltar strait ports are advised to book stems for all fuel grade with lead times of 7–10 days to secure competitive offers and avoid higher premiums, a trader told ENGINE.

Wind gusts of 30–40 knots and waves exceeding 2.5 metres are forecast for 13–14 February, which could cause fresh disruptions.

Weather conditions in Las Palmas have improved but lead times of about 10 days are still recommended for deliveries of any fuel grade, the trader said.

Persistent rough weather and related disruptions have resulted in longer waiting times across ports in the region, according to the trader. Some suppliers have considered alternative locations such as Huelva and Portuguese ports, although weather-related disruptions have also affected those areas, the trader added.

In Portugal’s Lisbon, a notice of around 3-5 days is recommended for deliveries of any fuel grade.

Fuel availability is stable off Malta, and a notice of 3-5 days is required to bunker any fuel type, according to a trader. Rough westerly winds of more than 30 knots and high swells between 2-4 metres are forecast between 11-17 February intermittently, which may further disrupt bunkering in some exposed areas.

A notice of around 5-7 days is recommended in Greece’s Piraeus for all fuel types, a trader said.

A lead time of around 4-5 days is recommended in Turkey’s Istanbul, the trader said.

Africa

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight in the Senegalese port of Dakar, a local supplier said.

Fuel availability is good for VLSFO and LSMGO in Togo’s Lome, while supply remains tight off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, a trader told ENGINE.

In Nigeria’s Lagos, around five days are required for deliveries of VLSFO and LSMGO, according to a trader.

LSMGO remains easily available at the container port in Sao Tome, as well as at Neves' deep-water bunkering terminal, a local supplier told ENGINE.

In South Africa’s Durban, availability is normal for VLSFO and HSFO, with 2–4 days of notice sufficient to secure deliveries of both grades, a trader said. Adverse weather is expected at the port between 14-15 February, which may result in bunkering disruptions.

In Richards Bay, prompt supplies are tight, with lead times of around seven days required for deliveries of all fuel grades, the trader added.

At Port Louis in Mauritius, VLSFO can be delivered at the earliest by 20 February, a trader said.

By Nachiket Tekawade

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online