ENGINE Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook

Northwest Europe is experiencing tight fuel availability in its bunkering hubs, with buyers advised lead times of around 5-7 days for prompt supplies. The ARA hub, a prominent fuel oil storage location, has seen a 9% increase in fuel oil stocks in August compared to July, with imports from Benin, Venezuela, and France.

Gas oil inventories in the region have dropped to their lowest level in four years, with August imports rising to 148,000 b/d, up from an average of 119,000 b/d in July. In Germany's Hamburg, fuel availability is normal, with a recommended five-day notice for deliveries. Off Denmark's Skaw and Sweden's Gothenburg, fuel availability is tight, with lead times of 10-14 days for marine fuel.

In the Mediterranean, ports in the Strait of Gibraltar have tight fuel availability for prompt dates, with lead times of 7-10 days. In Spain's Barcelona, fuel availability is tight for prompt suppliers, with a recommended week for deliveries. Las Palmas has tight fuel availability, with a recommended 10-12 days for deliveries.

In Greece's Piraeus, fuel availability is tight for prompt supplies, with lead times of 5-7 days. Turkey's Istanbul has stable fuel availability, with readily available VLSFO, ULSFO, and LSMGO deliveries. In Africa, Togo's Lome has tight availability for prompt VLSFO and LSMGO supplies, requiring a seven-day notice.

Namibia's Walvis Bay has normal VLSFO and LSMGO availability, with a five-day notice. Angola's Luanda has tightened VLSFO availability, requiring a ten-day notice. South Africa's Durban and Algoa Bay have tight fuel availability, with Durban requiring a five-day notice and Algoa Bay a week. Port Louis also has tight fuel availability, with suppliers quoting delivery dates around 10-14 days out.