Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook 26 Aug
Bunker demand down in the ARA
Fuel availability tight for prompt supplies in Gibraltar
VLSFO availability tightens in Luanda
IMAGE: The Europoort area in the Port of Rotterdam. Getty Images
Northwest Europe
The ARA has seen low demand of late. Fuel availability in the bunkering hub is tight for prompt supplies, with buyers advised lead times of around 5-7 days to get good coverage, a trader told ENGINE.
The ARA's independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 9% higher in August so far, compared to July's monthly average, according to Insights Global data.
The ARA hub has imported 363,000 b/d of fuel oil in August so far, more than double July's monthly average of 159,000 b/d, according to Vortexa cargo flows data. Most shipments came from Benin (26%), Venezuela (15%) and France (9%).
The region's independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – have dropped by 3% in August so far, compared to July, according to the Insights Global data. Gasoil inventories have dropped to their lowest level in four years.
The region has imported 148,000 b/d of gasoil in August so far, up from an average of 119,000 b/d imported in July, according to Vortexa data. Most shipments arrived from the US (34%), Sweden (17%) and Nigeria (10%).
Fuel availability is normal in Germany’s Hamburg, and buyers are recommended a notice of five days to get delivery of any fuel grade, a trader told ENGINE.
In the bunker area off Denmark’s Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, fuel availability is tight and marine fuel supplies may require lead times of 10-14 days, a trader told ENGINE.
Mediterranean
Bunker fuel availability is tight for prompt dates at ports in the Strait of Gibraltar, with buyers advised lead times of around 7-10 days to get good coverage from the area's suppliers, a trader told ENGINE.
Most suppliers in Gibraltar are delayed by 4-12 hours on deliveries, while suppliers are delayed by 6-24 hours on deliveries in neighbouring Algeciras, port agent MH Bland said.
In Spain’s Barcelona, fuel availability is tight for prompt suppliers, and buyers are advised lead times of around a week on deliveries, a trader told ENGINE.
Fuel availability is tight in Las Palmas, with buyers recommended lead times of around 10-12 days, a trader told ENGINE.
Fuel availability is normal off Malta, with VLSFO, ULSFO and LSMGO deliveries requiring 3-4 days of notice, a trader told ENGINE.
Fuel availability is tight in Greece’s Piraeus for prompt supplies, with buyers recommended lead times of 5-7 days, a trader said.
Fuel availability is stable in Turkey’s Istanbul, with deliveries of VLSFO, ULSFO and LSMGO readily available, a trader said.
Africa
In Togo’s Lome, availability is tight for prompt supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO, with buyers recommended 7 days of notice for both fuel grades.
Off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries are possible within 5-7 days, a trader said.
VLSFO availability has tightened in Angola’s Luanda over the past week, and a supplier recommended lead times of 10 days for deliveries of the fuel grade. LSMGO availability is stable, and a notice of 3-4 days is sufficient for deliveries of the fuel grade.
Fuel availability is tight in South Africa’s Durban with buyers advised lead times of 5-7 days, a trader said. At least five vessels are expected to call at Durban for bunkers between 26 August–7 September, according to South Africa’s Transnet National Port Authority.
Rough north-easterly winds of more than 25 knots and high swells of more than 2.5 metres are forecast in the Durban area between 27-30 August.
VLSFO availability is tight off South Africa’s Algoa Bay for prompt supplies, with buyers advised notice of at least a week, a trader said. Weather in the Algoa Bay area is expected to be comparatively better than at Durban.
Bunker availability is tight in Port Louis, with suppliers quoting delivery dates around 10-14 days out, a trader said.
By Nachiket Tekawade
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