North West Europe
Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO appears normal at ARA ports, while HSFO is tight for fast delivery, sources say.
The recommended lead time for VLSFO and LSMGO is around three days, while HSFO requires a minimum of five days for delivery in the ARA, they say.
Independently held fuel oil stocks in the ARA added more weight last week with continued inflows from Russia.
Fuel oil inventories rose by 460,000 barrels to 8.02 million barrels in the week to June 16, while diesel inventories fell by 340,000 barrels to 10.61 million barrels, the data showed. from Insights Global.
Fuel stocks in the region have been rising steadily since a sharp drop in April, and have gained 47% in volume since then. Meanwhile, ARA diesel stocks plunged to new eight-year lows in the week to June 16.
Russia is still estimated to be the main source of fuel oil shipments for ARA importers, accounting for 42% of their total imports in the first two weeks of June, according to freight tracker Vortexa.
The Port of Rotterdam said last week that the latest round of EU sanctions on Russia had “not (yet) affected” its energy imports due to a transition period for the elimination progressive Russian imports of energy products.
On June 3, the European Council announced a sixth set of sanctions, banning imports of crude oil and petroleum products from Russia. Maritime imports of crude oil will be eliminated over six months, petroleum products over eight months.
In the German port of Hamburg, the availability of bunker fuel would be normal, but the supply of HSFO is under pressure, according to a source. Very few suppliers offer HSFO in Hamburg and in limited quantities.
In Bremerhaven, supply from LSMGO is good while fast deliveries from VLSFO and HSFO are harder to come by there, according to a source.
Mediterranean
HSFO supply is under pressure for rapid delivery to ports in the Strait of Gibraltar, sources say.
Few vendors in the Strait currently have HSFO inventory and offer the grade in limited quantities. However, the availability of LSMGO would be normal, with a recommended delay of around four days.
Minimal congestion was reported in Gibraltar this week. Two suppliers experienced a few hours’ delay on Wednesday, said port agent MH Bland.
In Ceuta, the availability of LSMGO seems normal, requiring a delay of around four days, according to a source. Slight congestion was reported in Ceuta on Wednesday, where two ships were waiting to refuel at anchor and 11 more were due to arrive, agent Jose Salama & Cia said.
In Malta, all bunkering operations are normally taking place in zone 3 in favorable weather conditions, according to the agency Seatrans Shipping.
The availability of VLSFO and LSMGO seems normal in Malta, as some suppliers offer deliveries on specific dates, according to a source.
Africa
Bunker supplies remain tight in Durban and fast deliveries from VLSFO and LSMGO are hard to come by, the source said.
Some suppliers expect restocking to arrive next week, which could ease pressure on supplies, a source said.
Bunkering is underway in Algoa Bay, where suppliers have gradually cleared a backlog of vessels, according to Rennies Ships Agency.
Adverse weather conditions for most of the past week had created a considerable backlog of vessels in Algoa Bay and Port Elizabeth. Bunkering resumed in the bay on June 16, after a suspension on June 15 due to severe weather conditions.
There were four ships awaiting bunkering in Algoa Bay and Port Elizabeth, with four more due to arrive later in the day on Wednesday, according to the Rennies Ships Agency. Fifteen more ships are expected to arrive between Thursday and Sunday, it says.
Bunker fuel availability is normal in Algoa Bay, but erratic weather there remains a concern, a source said. Strong winds and heavy swells are expected in the bay between Friday and Saturday, which could again disrupt bunkering operations.
Source: ENGINE (https://engine.online/)
