Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook 22 Apr

Lead times of around five days advised in Hamburg

Loading delays off Malta tightens availability

Availability in Port Louis improving but longer lead times recommended

IMAGE: A ship anchored in the bay of Gibraltar receiving bunkers from a smaller tanker. Getty Images

Northwest Europe

Bunker availability is normal in the ARA hub, a trader said. Buyers are asked to enquire about stems around five days in advance to get good offers from a wide selection of suppliers.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have fallen by 17% in April so far, according to Insights Global data.

At 4.31 million barrels, the region’s fuel oil stocks are below their five-year average.

The ARA hub has imported 241,000 b/d of fuel oil in April thus far, up from March’s 207,000 b/d, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. Most supplies have arrived from Venezuela (18%), Sweden (17%) and Mexico (12%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – have decreased by 6% this month, compared to March. The ARA hub has imported 179,000 b/d of gasoil in April so far, a significant decrease from 291,000 b/d in March, Vortexa data showed.

Saudi Arabia has emerged as the top source of gasoil and diesel imports, accounting for 24% of total imports. Cargoes have also arrived from Qatar (18%) and the US (17%).

In Germany’s Hamburg, fuel availability remains stable for all fuel graders, and a notice of five days remains sufficient to get deliveries of any grade, a trader told ENGINE.

Bunker availability is good off Denmark’ Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, but suppliers require a lead time of around 10 days to arrange deliveries of any fuel grade, a trader said.

Mediterranean

Availability is a bit tight for all fuel grades at the Gibraltar Strait ports, and suppliers need around 7-10 days of lead time to arrange deliveries, according to a trader.

Bunker demand remains healthy in the Gibraltar Strait, with around 43 vessels expected to call for bunkers between 22-30 April, shipping agent A Mateos & Sons said.

Around 12 vessels were waiting in the port for bunkers as of Wednesday morning due to unavailability of space or barges, the shipping agent said.

Fuel availability in Las Palmas is tight for prompt dates, with buyers advised to book stems around 7-10 days ahead on average, a trader said.

Weather conditions are better in Las Palmas compared to last week. Deliveries are being carried out in the Outer anchorage currently, port agent MH Bland said.

In Lisbon, supplies of all fuel grades can be secured with a lead time of around 3-5 days, a source told ENGINE.

Bunker availability is tight off Malta for delivery dates before 28 April, a trader said. Loading delays have complicated bunkering in the area, the trader added.

In Greece’s Piraeus, around 5-7 days of lead time are advised, a trader said.

Fuel availability and demand remains stable in Türkiye's Istanbul, a local supplier told ENGINE. Deliveries of all fuel grades are available promptly within a day, a trader added.

In the Black Sea, LSMGO supplies in the Romanian ports of Constantza, Midia and Mangalia are tight at the moment, but some suppliers are offering deliveries, a local supplier told ENGINE.

Africa

Bunker demand remains healthy in Togo’s Lome, but around 5-7 days of lead time is required for VLSFO and LSMGO offers, a trader said.  

In Nigeria’s Lagos, around seven days is requested for VLSFO supplies, a local supplier said.

In Angola’s Luanda, a supplier said they are still awaiting replenishments for VLSFO, while LSMGO availability remains stable.

Some suppliers off Namibia’s Walvis Bay are offering deliveries of VLSFO and LSMGO with around 5-7 days of lead time, a trader said.

In South Africa’s Durban, bunker availability is stable and HSFO and VLSFO deliveries are possible with a lead time of around 5-7 days, a trader said.

In Mauritius’ Port Louis, fuel availability is slowly improving but buyers are still advised to enquire about supplies there with a lead time of minimum 10 days for all fuel grades, according to a trader.

In the Mozambican port of Nacala and Maputo, VLSFO supplies need a notice of around a week, a trader said.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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