Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook 17 June

ARA bunkering lead times remain high

Fuel availability is steady in Istanbul

Prompt fuel supply is tight in Durban

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

Northwest Europe

Prompt HSFO and VLSFO availability remains tight in the ARA bunkering hub, because of loading delays at the terminals, a trader said. Lead times of around 7-8 days are recommended for both grades.

LSMGO stems in the ARA require around six days of notice, the trader added.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks remain unchanged in June so far, compared to May’s monthly average, according to Insights Global data.

Fuel oil stocks in the ARA hub remain almost equal to May’s inventory levels, which were the lowest seen in more than a decade.

The ARA hub has imported 172,000 b/d of fuel oil in the first week of June, lower from May’s monthly average of 230,000 b/d, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. Around 48% imports came from Venzuela, while U.S. Virgin Islands sent around 14% of the June cargoes.

The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – have dropped 70,000 bbl this month so far compared to May. Gasoil inventories have fallen to their lowest level in two and a half years.

The ARA hub imported 226,000 b/d of gasoil in June, up from 204,000 b/d imported in May, Vortexa data showed.

Around 33% of June’s shipments have come from the U.S., while Brazil (14%) and Saudi Arabia (12%) have also sent cargoes. Gasoil shipments coming from the Middle East have fallen considerably over the last few months.

Fuel availability is normal in Germany’s Hamburg, with buyers advised to inquire about supplies around five days ahead to get deliveries of any fuel grade, a trader told ENGINE.

Marine fuel availability is normal off Denmark’s Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, but buyers may need to provide a notice of around 10 days to arrange deliveries of any fuel grade, according to a trader.

Mediterranean

Fuel availability remains tight for prompt delivery dates in Gibraltar, Algeciras and Ceuta, with buyers recommended to book around 10 days ahead to avoid high premiums, a trader said.

The Gibraltar Strait ports have seen strong summer demand lately.

Ships calling for bunkers in the port of Gibraltar have faced congestion for most of last week due to high influx of vessels, causing significant supply delays in the ports, according to port MH Bland.

Although that congestion has now eased, around 11 vessels still await bunkers as of Wednesday morning, and some suppliers are facing delays of between 2-12 hours.

Some suppliers in neighbouring Algeciras are still operating with around 24-36 hours of delays, the port agent added.

Prompt bunker availability is tight in Las Palmas, and buyers are advised to book with a notice of between 7-10 days to get deliveries of any fuel grade, a trader told ENGINE.

Deliveries are now being carried out in the outer anchorage, in addition to the inner anchorage and berth areas, as weather and sea conditions have improved over the last few days, according to port agent MH Bland.

Fuel availability is stable for all fuel grades in Portugal’s Lisbon, a source told ENGINE.

Fuel availability remains stable off Malta, with HSFO, ULSFO and LSMGO supplies available readily with a notice of 2-3 days, a trader said. VLSFO availability is tight for some suppliers, the trader added.

Fuel availability of all grades is good in the Greek port of Piraeus, and buyers are advised to book around five days in advance to get competitive offers, according to a trader.

Bunker demand is healthy in Turkey’s Istanbul and fuel availability remains stable for all fuel grades, a local supplier informed ENGINE. All fuel grades are available promptly within a day, a trader said.

LSMGO demand is weak off late in the Black Sea Port of Constantza in Romania, a local supplier said.  

Africa

In Togo’s Lome, marine fuel buyers are required to give a long lead time of around 10 days to get delivery of VLSFO and LSMGO, a trader said.

In Nigeria’s Lagos, VLSFO supplies need lead times of around a week, a local supplier told ENGINE.

A supplier in Luanda’s Angola said they can deliver VLSFO and LSMGO with lead times of around 5-7 days.

Off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, buyers are advised longer lead times of around 10 days due to high demand, the trader said.

Bunker availability is tight for prompt delivery dates in South Africa’s Durban and off Algoa Bay, a trader said. Buyers are advised to book stems at least 5-7 days ahead, the trader added.

In Mozambique’s port of Nacala and Maputo, suppliers are recommended lead times of around 7-10 days for VLSFO supplies, a trader said.

Bunker fuel availability is very tight in Mauritius’ Port Louis, with buyers advised lead times of between 10-15 days for all fuel grades, according to a trader.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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