ENGINE: East of Suez Fuel Availability Outlook
Singapore and Malaysia Singapore’s bunker market continues to face supply tightness despite “below average demand,” with recommended lead times for VLSFO now around 10-15 days, down from 13-17 days a week earlier. Most suppliers are maintaining low stock levels, while delays in cargo arrivals linked to the conflict in the Middle East have placed additional ...
East of Suez sees tight fuel availability, especially for heavy fuel oil (HFO). Singapore's bunker market faces supply constraints despite low demand, with recommended lead times for vacuum residual fuel oil (VLSFO) around 10-15 days. Most suppliers maintain low stock levels, while Middle East conflict delays add pressure to availability.
High sulfur fuel oil (HSFO) follows a similar trend, with advised lead times increasing to 10-15 days from previous 9-12 days. Malaysia's Port Klang also experiences constrained bunker supply across several grades, with VLSFO particularly tight. East Asia bunker availability remains tight in Zhoushan, where several suppliers run low on stocks due to delayed replenishment cargoes.
In China, supply conditions vary across ports. Dalian and Qingdao have adequate VLSFO and LSMGO stocks, while HSFO remains tight in Qingdao. Tianjin faces shortages across all grades, while Shanghai has limited VLSFO and HSFO but stable LSMGO. Southern China ports, including Fuzhou, Xiamen, and Yangpu, also face bunker shortages.
Bunkering activity is expected to slow during the National Day Golden Week holiday from October 1-7. Hong Kong's bunker market remains unchanged, with suppliers quoting lead times of around seven days for major grades. Taiwan sees quicker delivery times, with VLSFO and LSMGO available within two days in Keelung and Hualien, and around 2-3 days in Taichung and Kaohsiung.
South Korea experiences longer lead times at southern ports, with around 5-11 days for all major grades compared to previous nine days. Western ports, including Incheon, Daesan, Dangjin, Pyeongtaek, and Taean, also show similar trends with VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO lead times at 5-11 days compared to previous 9 days. Weather disruptions could exacerbate supply issues in the coming days, affecting bunkering operations at Busan and Ulsan due to bad weather.
Japan's major refinery issues have been resolved, but fresh offers for early October loading and VLSFO have failed to materialize. Refineries are finalizing and adjusting October loading schedules, resulting in temporary holding of communications by suppliers. Availability of VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO at several Japanese ports, including Tokyo, Chiba, Kawasaki, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Osaka, Kobe, Mizushima, Tokuyama, and Oita, is virtually unavailable this month.
Indonesia has healthy bunker fuel availability, with VLSFO lead times of 2-3 days. Oceania sees stable bunker fuel supply in Western Australia, with VLSFO readily available at Kwinana and Fremantle at seven-day lead times. Supply conditions are mixed along Australia's east coast, with Port Kembla, Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne having varying bunker availability and lead times.
Melbourne and Brisbane face tightened HSFO availability, while some suppliers offer all three grades with shorter lead times in Brisbane. Western Australia's pipeline bunkering at Dampier Cargo Wharf resumes after suspension in late July, but the upcoming cyclone season could impact bunker fuel availability across Australian ports.
New Zealand's bunker market remains stable, with VLSFO readily available at Tauranga and Auckland, quoting lead times of around four days.
Written by urgent.news from Hellenic Shipping News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.