Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook 11 Nov

ARA fuel oil imports slump

Rough weather disrupts Gibraltar Strait bunkering

No VLSFO available in Mindelo before late November

IMAGE: Stormy clouds above the Bay of Gibraltar. Getty Images

Northwest Europe

Fuel availability remains tight in the ARA ports for prompt delivery dates, and buyers are recommended lead times of 5-7 days to get good coverage from suppliers and secure deliveries at competitive prices, a trader told ENGINE.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 2% higher in November so far, compared to October’s monthly average, according to Insights Global data.

Fuel oil stocks have increased by 57% from May, when they hit their lowest level in more than a decade. However, inventories are 12% below February levels, before Israel and the US went to war with Iran.

The ARA hub has imported 49,000 b/d of fuel oil in November so far, down from October’s 183,000 b/d, according to Vortexa cargo flows data.

Most cargo volumes have arrived from Mexico (87%). Significant supplies have also arrived from Finland (11%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil - have gained 1% in November so far, compared to October, according to the Insights Global data.

The region has imported 400,000 b/d of gasoil in November so far, up from 257,000 b/d in October, according to Vortexa data. Most of the volumes have arrived from India (39%), Saudi Arabia (35%) and Canada (12%).

Fuel availability is stable in Hamburg, with suppliers requesting a notice of at least five days, a trader told ENGINE.

Buyers are advised to allow longer lead times of around 10 days for supplies off Denmark’s Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, a trader said.

Mediterranean

Storm Charles has brought strong winds, heavy rain and rough seas to southern and western Spain, the Gibraltar Strait and the Canary Islands this week.

In Gibraltar Strait, rough westerly winds have prompted Gibraltar Port Authority to issue a severe weather warning.

Gibraltar’s vessel traffic service will suspend inbound traffic because of the weather warning, port agent MH Bland said. Bunker operations outside port limits can continue for now, it added.

Eight vessels are waiting for bunkers in Gibraltar, according to MH Bland. Suppliers are running 4-14 hours late on deliveries as of now. The delays could increase due to the suspension.

In neighbouring Algeciras, inbound movements at the inner anchorage have been suspended due to rough winds, MH Bland said.

The bunker-focused outer Delta anchorage is open. Some suppliers could face delays of about a day, the port agent said.

Prompt fuel availability is generally tight in the Gibraltar Strait ports, with buyers advised lead times of 6-7 days to secure any fuel grade. One supplier has offered an earliest delivery date on 1 December, more than two weeks out.

In Las Palmas, strong winds and rough seas have suspended bunkering at the outer anchorage, while deliveries are still possible in the inner anchorage and alongside the berth, but with some delays, MH Bland said.

Tenerife’s bunkering operations could also be suspended for at least two days on account of the rough weather.

Fuel availability is tight in the Canary Islands hubs, with buyers advised lead times of around 7-10 days for most deliveries, a trader told ENGINE.

Bunkering has also been suspended by rough weather in the Atlantic port of Huelva, according to MH Bland. There is only one barge in service in the port and there could be delays due to rescheduling of deliveries once operations resume, the port agent told ENGINE.

Deliveries are possible in Barcelona within 4-5 days, according to a trader.

Off Malta, fuel availability is tight for VLSFO, with buyers advised a lead time of a week, while LSMGO availability is relatively prompt, a trader told ENGINE.

Fuel availability is stable in Istanbul and deliveries are available promptly, a local supplier told ENGINE.

Africa

VLSFO supplies have run dry in Cape Verde’s Mindelo and replenishments are expected by late November or early December, a trader said.

In Senegal’s Dakar, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are available from 25 November at the earliest, around two weeks out, a supplier told ENGINE.

In Togo’s Lome, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight for prompt supplies, with buyers advised to book deliveries around 5-7 days ahead, a trader told ENGINE.

VLSFO availability is tight in Nigeria’s Lagos anchorage, and buyers are recommended lead times of 5-10 days, a local supplier told ENGINE.

VLSFO remains unavailable in Angola’s Luanda, while LSMGO deliveries require a notice of 4-5 days, a supplier said.

Fuel availability has improved in South Africa’s Durban, but remains tight for prompt deliveries. Buyers are advised lead times of 5-7 days, a trader said.

Fuel availability is tight for prompt supplies in Port Louis. Lead times have reduced to 5-7 days from 10-14 days advised last week, a trader noted.

Bunker fuel availability is tight for prompt dates in Mozambique’s Nacala and Maputo, with buyers recommended lead times of 5-7 days for most supplies, a trader told ENGINE.

In Mozambique’s Beira, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies need a lead time of five days.

VLSFO and LSMGO supply remains prompt for ships visiting Djibouti’s Red Sea ports, a local supplier told ENGINE.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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