Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook 30 Sep

Greater B100 demand in Rotterdam this year

HSFO availability tight off Denmark's Skaw

Fuel availability very tight in Durban

IMAGE: Aerial view of Durban port landscape. Getty Images

Northwest Europe

Prompt fuel availability is tight in the ARA ports, a trader said. Buyers are advised lead times of 5-7 days to get good coverage from suppliers. Suppliers are also reportedly facing some loading issues with fuel oil grades.

B100 demand is increasing in Rotterdam. An analysis of ENGINE’s fuel quality data showed a sharp rise in the number of B100 bunker samples recorded in Rotterdam between January and August, compared to the same period last year.

The ARA's independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 15% higher in September, compared to August's monthly average, according to Insights Global data.

Fuel oil stocks have increased by around 47% from May, when they hit their lowest level in more than a decade. However, inventories remain 18% below February levels, before the conflict broke out in the Middle East.

The ARA hub has imported around 276,000 b/d of fuel oil in September, down from August's monthly average of around 342,000 b/d, according to Vortexa cargo flows data. Most shipments have come from Mexico (23%), Colombia (19%) and Benin (14%).

The region's independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil - have gained 2% in September, compared to August, according to the Insights Global data.

The region has imported around 141,000 b/d of gasoil in September, down from an average of around 155,000 b/d imported in August, according to Vortexa data. A majority of shipments have arrived from the US (30%), the UK (18%) and Sweden (12%).

Fuel availability in Hamburg is steady, with five days’ notice recommended to secure any grade in the German port, a trader told ENGINE.

Off Denmark’s Skaw, VLSFO availability is normal, while HSFO availability has tightened, a trader told ENGINE. Buyers are recommended longer lead times of around 10 days, the trader said.

Mediterranean

Fuel availability is tight in the Gibraltar Strait for prompt delivery dates, with buyers recommended lead times of 7-10 days to secure any fuel grade at competitive prices, a trader told ENGINE.

Two suppliers in Gibraltar are running around 4-6 hours behind schedule, while one supplier is running around 8-12 hours behind schedule, port agent MH Bland said.

In Algeciras, one supplier may be running more than a day late on HSFO deliveries, and delays of a few hours are seen for other products, MH Bland said. Other suppliers in the Spanish port may be delayed by 6-12 hours, the port agent added.

In Ceuta, barge deliveries are delayed by 8-10 hours, while ex-pipe deliveries are proceeding on schedule, MH Bland said.

In Barcelona, suppliers need a week of notice for deliveries of any fuel grade, a trader said.

In Portugal’s Lisbon, availability is stable with lead times of 3-5 days recommended for any fuel grade, a source told ENGINE.

Fuel availability is tight in Las Palmas, with buyers recommended lead times of around 7-8 days to get good coverage from suppliers, a trader said.

Las Palmas has seen strong demand this year from vessels rerouting around Africa due to the conflict in the Middle East, the trader noted.

Fuel availability is stable off Malta, with VLSFO, ULSFO and LSMGO deliveries available with a notice of 3-4 days, a trader told ENGINE.

Fuel availability in Piraeus is tight for all fuel grades and buyers are recommended lead times of around 5-7 days, a trader said. The summer cruise season has increased demand in the Greek port, and suppliers are facing issues with barge availability.

Fuel availability is stable in Türkiye's Istanbul, with every grade available promptly with a notice of 1-4 days, a trader said.

Africa

In Togo’s Lome, fuel availability remains tight for prompt supplies, with LSMGO and VLSFO deliveries needing around a week of lead time, a trader told ENGINE.

Fuel availability at the Lagos anchorage is limited due to maintenance operations in some local refineries, but it is expected to stabilise before the end of October, a local supplier told ENGINE. Buyers are recommended lead times of 7-9 days to secure VLSFO deliveries at the Nigerian bunker location.

Demand is slow at the Lagos anchorage, and most of it comes from oil tankers, according to the supplier.

In Angola’s Luanda, one supplier said it has run out of VLSFO and LSMGO supplies, and expects replenishments in 1-2 weeks.

Fuel demand is stable off Namibia's Walvis Bay, but prompt fuel availability is tight, and buyers have been recommended lead times of 5-7 days for VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries, a trader told ENGINE.

Fuel availability is extremely tight in South Africa’s Durban, while availability in Cape Town is expected to be tight until 4 October, a trader told ENGINE.

Fuel availability is comparatively better in Richards Bay and Algoa Bay, the trader added.

Buyers are recommended longer lead times of 10-15 days to secure deliveries in any of these South African ports, the trader said.

Bunker availability remains very tight in Port Louis, where demand has been strong. Buyers are recommended to book around 10-14 days ahead to get supplies, a trader said.

In Mozambique, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in the northern port of Nacala, while HSFO availability is tighter, a trader told ENGINE. In the southern port of Maputo, VLSFO availability is very tight, while LSMGO availability is stable, the trader added.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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