Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook 27 May

Longer lead times in ARA

Loading delays persist off Malta

Port Louis recommended lead times at 10-15 days

IMAGE: Tankers during a bunker operation off Malta. Getty Images

Northwest Europe

VLSFO and HSFO availability is tightening in the ARA bunkering hub, with buyers advised to book stems around 10 days in advance to get competitive offers from a wide selection of suppliers, a trader told ENGINE.

LSMGO is available more readily and needs a notice of around 5-6 days, the trader added.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 15% lower so far in May than in April, according to Insights Global data.

The fuel oil stocks have fallen to their lowest level, levels unseen in more than a decade.

The ARA hub has imported 254,000 b/d of fuel oil in May thus far, rising from April’s 207,000 b/d, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. Most cargoes arrived from Benin (18%), Estonia (12%) and Lithuania (10%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – have averaged 6% lower this month than in April. Gasoil inventories have fallen to their lowest in nearly two and a half years.

The ARA hub has imported 236,000 b/d of gasoil in May so far, up significantly from 143,000 b/d in March, Vortexa data showed. The U.S. (49%), Saudi Arabia (15%) and Germany (9%) were the top suppliers this month. 

In Germany’s Hamburg, buyers are advised to book stems around five days in advance, a trader told ENGINE.

Fuel availability is tight off Denmark’s Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, with buyers recommended around 10 days of notice for delivery of any fuel grade, according to a trader.

Mediterranean

Prompt fuel availability is tight at Gibraltar Strait ports, with buyers advised lead times between 7-10 days, a trader told ENGINE.

Congestion is high in Gibraltar with around 18 vessels waiting for bunkers due to lack of space and barge unavailability, port agent MH Bland said.

Most suppliers in Gibraltar and in neighbouring Algeciras are running delayed by around 12-24 hours, the port agent added.

Bunker fuel availability is tight in Las Palmas for prompt delivery dates, and buyers are recommended lead times of around 7-10 days to get deliveries of any fuel grade, a trader told ENGINE.

Loading delays persist off Malta, which could lead to higher bunkering lead times, a trader told ENGINE. Demand for all fuel grades been soft, the trader added.

In Greece’s Piraeus, VLSFO availability is limited, a supplier told ENGINE.

Fuel availability is normal in Türkiye's Istanbul, with buyers able to secure deliveries promptly, a local supplier told ENGINE.

Africa

Buyers need to give a longer lead time of around 10 days to get supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO in Togo’s Lome and off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, a trader told ENGINE.

In Nigeria’s Lagos, a supplier can provide VLSFO with a lead time of 5-7 days, a local supplier said.

In Angola’s Luanda, a supplier said VLSFO is available earliest in around two weeks, and LSMGO supplies are available promptly with a lead time of around 3-4 days.

In South Africa’s Durban, fuel availability is tight for prompt supplies, with lead times of around 5-7 days advised for deliveries, a trader said.

In the Mozambican port of Nacala, buyers are recommended around 7-10 days of lead time for VLSFO supplies, a trader said.

In Mauritius’ Port Louis, fuel availability is tight amid strong demand. Buyers are recommended lead times of around 10-15 days for all fuel grades, according to a trader.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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