Northwest Europe
Prompt availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal in Rotterdam and other ports in the ARA bunkering hub. Recommended lead times for LSMGO and VLSFO in Rotterdam are 3-4 days, while HSFO may require 5-6 days, sources say.
The ARA’s independent fuel oil stocks have averaged 4% higher so far this month than in October, according to Insights Global data. The region’s fuel oil inventories have risen above their five-year average position for the year. This comes despite a big fall in net imports this month.
According to cargo tracker Vortexa, fuel oil cargo imports have primarily arrived into the ARA from the UK, Saudi Arabia, Poland and Lithuania during month.
The ARA’s average gasoil stocks in November have also increased, but remain far below their five-year average position.
The ongoing workers’ strike at the BP refinery in Rotterdam has not impacted bunker supplies in the ARA, according to market sources. Most workers at BP’s 393,800 b/d Rotterdam refinery voted to continue the strike after a fresh round of negotiation to resolve pay hike dispute failed on Monday.
Supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal off Skaw, requiring lead times of around seven days, a source says. Securing prompt delivery of HSFO can be difficult there, however, the source adds.
Bunker supply is said to be normal in the UK’s Falmouth port, where suppliers can offer prompt delivery of LSMGO, a source says.
Mediterranean
Bunker fuels supply across all grades is said to be normal in Gibraltar Strait ports. Some suppliers can offer VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries for prompt dates there, and HSFO requires lead times of around 4-5 days, a source says.
Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal in Algeciras and Las Palmas. But prompt supply of the two grades is tight in Malta, a source says.
Outer anchorage bunkering has been suspended in Las Palmas since last week due to bad weather conditions. The weather is forecast to remain harsh in Las Palmas this week, which could keep bunker operations suspended at the port’s weather-exposed outer anchorage. Bunker deliveries via ex-pipe at berth, or by barge at the port’s inner anchorage, are available, port agent MH Bland says. Las Palmas’ inner anchorage has a limited bunker capacity of only one vessel at a time. Delays are expected this week.
Bunker operations are running normally in other ports in the Gibraltar Strait, including Algeciras, Ceuta, and Malta. Bunkering resumed in Malta Offshore from Monday afternoon after being suspended over the weekend due to bad weather. 12 vessels were scheduled to arrive for bunkers in and off Malta on Wednesday, according to Seatrans Shipping agency.
With outer anchorage bunkering suspended in Las Palmas and Malta facing disruptions earlier this week, bunker calls in other regional ports have increased this week. On a daily average, 11 vessels arrived for bunkers in Ceuta this week, up from eight during last week. Bunker supply is said to be normal there.
Bad weather conditions have affected bunker deliveries in the Spanish port of Pasajes this week, a source says.
In the French port of Le Havre, prompt supply of VLSFO is said to be normal, while LSMGO is slightly tight.
In the Greek port of Piraeus, availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be good. Suppliers can offer prompt deliveries there, a source says.
Africa
Bunker operations resumed in Algoa Bay on Wednesday after being suspended for a day due to strong winds and waves, Rennies Ships Agency says. Suppliers are currently working to clear bunker backlogs there. 11 vessels are scheduled to arrive for bunkers in Algoa Bay and Port Elizabeth this week, according to Rennies.
Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal in South Africa’s Durban and Algoa Bay. Lead times of around seven days are advised for the two products, a source says.
Bunker supply of VLSFO and LSMGO continues to be good in Mozambique’s Maputo and Nacala ports, and bunkering is progressing normally in both the locations, a source says. Some suppliers can offer delivery for prompt dates. Five vessels are due to arrive for bunkers in Nacala this week, the source adds.
Nacala’s VLSFO price is at $20-30/mt discounts to other regional ports including Durban and even Algoa Bay.
Source: ENGINE, By Shilpa Sharma (https://engine.online/)