Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook 15 Apr

ARA bunker availability remains stable

Supply backlog expected in Malta after rough weather

Lead times decrease in West African ports

IMAGE: The Europoort area in the Port of Rotterdam. Getty Images

Northwest Europe

Bunker supplies are stable in the ARA hub, a trader said. But buyers are being asked to book stems with lead times of at least 4-5 days to get competitive offers from a broad selection of suppliers, the trader added.

In Antwerp, an oil spill had disrupted port operations over the weekend. Cleaning operations have progressed gradually and vessel traffic has resumed, port authorities and shipping agents said.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 19% lower in April so far than in March, according to Insights Global data.

The region imported around 266,000 b/d of fuel oil in April so far, up slightly from 207,000 b/d imported in March, according to cargo tracker Vortexa. Most supplies have arrived from Venezuela (29%), Sweden (20%) and Cameroon (10%).

The ARA has imported 255,000 b/d of gasoil this month, down from the 291,000 b/d in March, according to Vortexa data. Around 47% of supplies have arrived from the US, followed by Qatar (22%) and Canada (11%).

In Germany’s Hamburg, fuel availability remains normal, but buyers are advised to enquire about stems as early as possible, a trader told ENGINE.

Off Denmark’ Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, fuel suppliers require a lead time of around 10 days to arrange deliveries of any fuel grade, a trader said.

Mediterranean

Bunker availability is tight for all fuel grades in Gibraltar Strait ports, and buyers are recommended lead times of 7-10 days to get good coverage from suppliers, a trader said.

Demand is strong in Gibraltar, with around 62 vessels expected to call there for bunkers between 15-25 April, said shipping agent A Mateos & Sons.

Most deliveries in the port were running around 4-6 hours behind schedule on Wednesday, port agent MH Bland said.

In neighbouring Algeciras, delivery delays can range between 2-6 hours, the port agent added.

Las Palmas is seeing high swells of around 2 metres. Carrying out deliveries in the outer anchorage area in this weather may not be possible, but deliveries could still continue at the inner anchorage and at berth.

Around 7-10 days of notice is recommended for all ships seeking bunkers in the Canary Islands, a trader said.

Bunker availability is stable off Malta, and some suppliers can deliver by 19-20 April at the earliest, a trader said.

Rough weather had disrupted operations off Malta during the weekend. Operations have resumed now but there could be backlogs, the trader added.

In Greece’s Piraeus, VLSFO bunker availability is complicated, a source said.

In Italy’s Augusta, suppliers are giving their earliest delivery dates around 5-7 days out for HSFO and LSMGO supplies, a trader told ENGINE.

Fuel availability and demand remains stable in Türkiye's Istanbul, a local supplier told ENGINE. Deliveries of HSFO, VLSFO, LSMGO and ULSFO are possible on a prompt basis, the supplier said. Rough winds are forecast in the port area on Friday, which could cause some disruption.

In the Black Sea, LSMGO supplies can be delivered within a day in the Romanian ports of Constantza, Midia and Mangalia, a local supplier told ENGINE.

Africa

Demand remains strong in the Togolese port of Lome, and buyers are recommended around five days of lead times for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries, compared to last week when suppliers needed around 10 days of notice.  

In Nigeria’s Lagos, a lead time of around a week is advised for VLSFO supplies, a trader said.

Off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, around five days of lead time is needed for bunker deliveries, compared to last week when around 10 days of notice was recommended, a trader said. Weather conditions are a concern, with high swells forecast until end of the month.

In South Africa’s Durban, buyers are advised to enquire with longer lead times, a trader said.

Fuel availability is very tight in Mauritius’ Port Louis as demand remains high, according to a trader.

In the Mozambican port of Nacala, VLSFO supplies need a notice of around 7-10 days, a trader said.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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