North West Europe
The availability of VLSFO would be normal in the ARA hub, while ensuring fast deliveries of HSFO and LSMGO can be slightly difficult in times of good demand, according to a source. The recommended times for LSMGO and VLSFO in Rotterdam are around four days, while HSFO requires around 5-6 days, according to sources.
Independent ARA fuel oil inventories were on average 2% higher last month than in October, according to data from Insights Global. Although fuel oil inventories increased in November, they were still below their five-year average position for the year.
According to freight tracker Vortexa, the ARA mainly imported fuel oil from the UK, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Iraq and Lithuania in November. Most of these volumes consisted of low sulfur fuel oil (LSFO). Vortexa has not picked up any Russian cargo imports to the region since August.
ARA’s average diesel inventories were flat in November at 12.91 million barrels, but that was well below their five-year average position for the time of year.
The supply of VLSFO and LSMGO would be normal off Skaw, requiring supply times of around seven days, according to a source. The rapid availability of HSFO is slightly limited there, the source adds.
Mediterranean
The supply of bunker fuels of all qualities would be normal in the ports of the Strait of Gibraltar. Delivery times of 3 to 4 days are advised for VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries in the region, and HSFO requires about five days, according to a source.
Two suppliers in Gibraltar and one in Algeciras experienced delays on Wednesday, according to port agent MH Bland.
The availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal in Algeciras and Las Palmas. But the rapid supply of both qualities is slightly limited off Malta, according to a source. Delivery times of 5-6 days are advised for bunkering off Malta due to limited barge availability, according to a source.
Malta is experiencing high demand for bunkers. 15 ships were due to arrive for bunkers in Malta and offshore on Wednesday, according to Seatrans Shipping.
Meanwhile, suppliers have struggled to deliver rods to Las Palmas outer moorings in recent days due to poor weather conditions. But some suppliers have resumed deliveries of bunkers to the weather-exposed outer port anchorage this week under calmer weather conditions, a source said. Strong waves are expected to hit Las Palmas on Friday, which could again disrupt deliveries to its outer anchorage.
The demand for bunkers remains good in Ceuta. An average of nine ships arrived for bunkering in Ceuta every day this week, compared to an average of 11 ships every day last week. Bunker supplies are said to be normal there.
In the Greek port of Piraeus, the availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal, according to a source.
Africa
Bunker supplies are also stable in Durban and Algoa Bay in South Africa. Lead times of around seven days are advised for VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries in Durban, according to a source.
Suppliers are working to eliminate bunker backlogs in Algoa Bay. Deliveries to the bay resumed on Tuesday after being suspended for four days due to poor weather, according to Rennies Ships Agency. On Wednesday, four ships were waiting to receive bunkers at anchorages in the area, Rennies said.
Bunker fuel demand has recently increased in Nacala, Mozambique, according to market sources. The number of bunker calls in the port has gradually increased from four ships in each of the first two weeks of November, to 5-6 ships in the last two weeks of November, to 12 ships expected this week.
Rapid supply of VLSFO and LSMGO would be stable in Nacala and Maputo.
Source: ENGINE, by Shilpa Sharma, https://engine.online/
