Singapore
Singapore has witnessed “very muted” bunker demand so far this week, a source says. Lead times of VLSFO have come down from 8-11 days last week, to 7-10 days now.
Prompt availability of HSFO remains under pressure, with almost unchanged lead times of 7-9 days. Several suppliers are advising lead times of 4-7 days for LSMGO – up from 3-5 days last week.
Residual fuel oil stocks in Singapore averaged 4% lower in September than in August, data from Enterprise Singapore shows. Singapore’s net fuel imports dipped 3% lower in September. There was overall less cargo trade, with both fuel oil imports and exports declining by 3%.
On the other hand, the Southeast Asian bunker hub’s middle distillate stocks surged and averaged 21% higher in September than in August.
China, East Asia and Oceania
After a period of muted bunkering activity because of the recent Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday in the country, demand is yet to pick up in Zhoushan.
All grades remain in ample availability in the Chinese bunkering hub, with several suppliers advising short lead times of 3-5 days.
Meanwhile, the northern Chinese port of Dalian has good availability of VLSFO and LSMGO. Availability of VLSFO remains good in the nearby port of Tianjin as well, but LSMGO and HSFO remain under pressure, and deliveries are subject to enquiry. HSFO remains subject to enquiry in the other northern Chinese port of Qingdao, and VLSFO and LSMGO supply is good there.
The southern Chinese ports of Shanghai and Xiamen have good availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, while HSFO remains under pressure in Shanghai. Prompt availability of VLSFO and LSMGO remains tight in the port of Yangpu.
VLSFO and LSMGO supply are subject to enquiry in the Chinese ports of Fuzhou and Guangzhou.
All grades remain in good availability in Hong Kong, with several suppliers recommending lead times of 5-7 days – virtually unchanged from last week.
Bad weather is forecast in Hong Kong on 17 October, which might hamper bunker deliveries.
High waves are forecast to hit the southern South Korean ports of Busan, Ulsan, Onsan and Yeosu from Friday, which may impact bunker operations until Sunday.
A source says availability of all grades has improved in South Korean ports amid low demand. Most suppliers that were recommending lead times of 3-9 days for all grades last week, are now offering the grades at lead times of 4-6 days.
Adverse weather conditions are also forecast in the Kiwi port of Tauranga between 10-14 October, which might impact bunkering.
South Asia
VLSFO and LSMGO can be delivered with around 2-3 days of lead time in Kandla on the northwest coast of India and in the country’s southern port of Cochin.
However, both grades remain tight in the Indian ports of Mumbai, Visakhapatnam and Haldia, where deliveries are subject to availability. On the other hand, bunker deliveries remain subject to enquiry in Tuticorin on the southeast coast.
A supplier says that the port of Paradip on the eastern coast of India is almost out of stock for both grades.
Middle East
Bunker demand in Fujairah has been robust, leading to tight availability and most suppliers are recommending lead times of 5-7 days.
Some suppliers can still supply prompt dates, but these deliveries depend on stem sizes, a source says.
Availability of all grades remains good in the other UAE port of Khor Fakkan, with most suppliers recommending unchanged lead times of 5-7 days.
LSMGO is readily available across the Omani ports of Muscat, Salalah, Sohar and Duqm.
Source: ENGINE, By Tuhin Roy, https://engine.online/news