ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Singapore

Availability of VLSFO and HSFO has been getting tighter in Singapore, with recommended lead times increasing from 7-9 days last week to 8-11 days now.
LSMGO availability remains normal in the port. But lead times have gone up slightly from 3-5 days previously to 4-7 days now.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 1% higher so far this month than in February, according to Enterprise Singapore. Net fuel oil imports to Singapore have risen 14% so far this month and are at a six-month high. Imports have risen by 14%, while exports have increased by 13%.

Singapore’s middle distillate stocks have swelled by 21% so far this month over February levels.

East Asia

Lead times of 3-5 days are recommended for VLSFO in Zhoushan, and around 5-7 days are required for HSFO. Availability of LSMGO remains good, with prompt dates available – unchanged from the end of last week.

Bad weather might disrupt bunkering in Zhoushan on Thursday.

Swells of up to a metre are forecast to hit Hong Kong between 5-6 April, which may hamper bunkering operations there.

Availability of all grades remains normal in Hong Kong, while demand has been improving, a source says. Lead times of around seven days are recommended, which is virtually the same as they have been over the last couple of weeks.

Bunker supplier CPC has taken an HSFO-carrying bunker barge out of operation for maintenance in Taiwan’s Kaohsiung. HSFO supply has been put on hold until May, when the barge is expected back in operation.

Demand has been improving slightly across South Korean ports, a source says. Lead times in the country’s southern ports have gone up to 7-11 days, from 4-8 days previously. Meanwhile, lead times for all grades have shortened to 3-4 days in western South Korean ports, from 4-8 days last week.

Rough seas are forecast in South Korean ports of Ulsan, Onsan and Yeosu between 30 March and 1 April, and thick fog has been forecast in Daesan and Taean from today onwards. This might disrupt bunkering in the ports.

Adverse weather conditions are also predicted to hamper bunker operations in the Thai port of Koh Sichang between 2-4 April, and the Kiwi port of Tauranga between 29-30 March.

South Asia

Mumbai has good availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, with prompt dates available.

VLSFO and LSMGO can be delivered with around 2-3 days of lead time in several Indian ports, including Kandla on the northwest coast, Cochin and Chennai on the southern coast, and Visakhapatnam on the southwestern coast.

Availability is subject to enquiry in Tuticorin on India’s southeast coast and in Haldia on the eastern coast.

However, bad weather might disrupt bunkering in India’s west coast ports of Kandla and Sikka between 3-4 April, a source says.

A supplier can offer both VLSFO and LSMGO in the Sri Lankan ports of Colombo and Trincomalee, with prompt dates available.

Middle East

All three grades are in tight availability in Fujairah. Lead times of VLSFO have increased from six days last week to around 10 days now. HSFO stems need around 13 days now – up from seven previously, while LSMGO requires 11 days – almost double the six days advised last week.
Source: ENGINE, By Tuhin Roy, https://engine.online/news