Singapore
HSFO and VLSFO availability is very tight for prompt delivery dates in Singapore, as it was last week. Demand has been strong and lead times for the two grades are roughly the same as last week, at 6-10 days and 7-11 days, respectively. But conditions can quickly change, a trader says.
Buyers can expect to pay price premiums for VLSFO deliveries that are prompter than the recommended lead time, and VLSFO offers can vary greatly between suppliers.
A recent fuel oil stock draw has underpinned the pressure on VLSFO and HSFO. Stocks have been drawn this month during a period of declining net imports, and have come down from nearly 24 million bbls in April to just over 20 million bbls now. More exports to China, South Korea and Bangladesh in particular have weighed on stock levels.
LSMGO continues to be more readily available and can be delivered as soon as 2-5 days after enquiry. The port’s middle distillate stocks have swelled by 17% so far this month over August levels.
B24-VLSFO biofuel blends can be delivered with just over a week of lead time at a minimum with certain suppliers. But 30 days is generally the recommended lead time. Bio-blended VLSFO sales hit an all-time record of 52,500 mt in August, up from 39,000 mt in July.
No sales of bio-blended HSFO, MGO or ULSFO were recorded, and B24-VLSFO seems to be the standard grade and more recent trials and regular biofuel refuelling have supported the growth.
East Asia
Low bunker demand has kept tightness in check in Zhoushan, with most supplier advising unchanged lead times of 3-5 days for all grades. But bad weather is forecast in Zhoushan between 19-20 September, which may hamper bunker deliveries, a source adds.
VLSFO and LSMGO availability is good in north China’s Dalian. Nearby Tianjin has ample VLSFO availability, while LSMGO and HSFO grades can be tight and subject to enquiry.
VLSFO and LSMGO grades are tight for prompt dates in Shanghai, and HSFO is even less readily available.
In South China, Hong Kong has normal availability of all grades, but lead times of at least 5-7 days are recommended for good coverage from suppliers.
The southern South Korean ports of Busan, Ulsan, Onsan and Yeosu face potential bunker disruptions from strong winds and waves from Wednesday to Sunday. Bunkering could also be held back in the western ports of Daesan and Taean this week, with high waves forecast on Friday and winds on Saturday and Sunday.
LSMGO and HSFO availability is normal across South Korean ports. VLSFO is tight, especially in western ports where only two suppliers offer it.
South Asia
VLSFO and LSMGO continue to be in tight supply in Mumbai, Tuticorin, Haldia and Visakhapatnam, with delivery prospects subject to enquiry.
The grades are comparatively much more available in Kandla, Cochin and Chennai, where lead times of only 2-3 days are recommended.
Middle East
Robust demand has kept pressure on availability in Fujairah. Recommended lead times for all bunker grades are around the same as in recent weeks, at 5-7 days. Some suppliers can still deliver more prompt, but likely at price premiums.
The port’s heavy distillate and residual fuel oil stocks have been drawn below 9 million bbls this month. That is far below the 14 million bbls at the beginning of the year. Its middle distillate stocks have more than halved since the summer, from 4 million bbls to just 1.62 million bbls.
VLSFO and LSMGO look tight in the wider Middle Eastern region. They are in limited supply by the Suez Canal and Djibouti, and tight in Jeddah.
Omani ports including Sohar have normal availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO.
Source: ENGINE, By Erik Hoffmann, https://engine.online/news