{
  "id": 14290136,
  "title": "East of Suez Fuel Availability Outlook",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/east-of-suez-fuel-availability-outlook",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-13T21:00:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hellenic Shipping News",
    "slug": "hellenic-shipping-news",
    "url": "https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/east-of-suez-fuel-availability-outlook-30/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The global bunker fuel market remains tight, with several suppliers holding low inventories. Lead times for fuel availability have increased, particularly in Singapore, Malaysia, and various Chinese ports. In Singapore, VLSFO and HSFO lead times have extended to 11-18 days and 11-17 days, respectively, while LSMGO remains more readily available but with increasing lead times. In Malaysia, bunker supply is constrained across multiple grades, with particularly tight availability of VLSFO in Port Klang. Zhoushan's market also remains tight despite low demand, with suppliers reporting low inventories and weak imports. In China, Dalian and Qingdao have sufficient VLSFO and LSMGO stocks, but HSFO availability remains tight in Qingdao. Tianjin faces shortages across all three major fuel grades, while Shanghai has limited supplies of VLSFO and HSFO. LSMGO availability in Shanghai remains relatively stable. Southern China experiences persistent supply constraints for VLSFO and LSMGO, with suppliers in Fuzhou, Xiamen, Yangpu, and Guangzhou reporting shortages. Hong Kong's market remains stable, with suppliers recommending lead times of around seven days for major fuel grades. Taiwan sees relatively quick deliveries of VLSFO and LSMGO at Keelung, Hualien, and Taichung. In South Korea, bunker fuel availability has tightened across southern ports due to increased lead times for all major grades, with similar tightening reported at western ports. Adverse weather could further disrupt operations. Japan faces constraints on bonded bunker fuel allocations, with spot offers for HSFO and VLSFO virtually unavailable due to full supply capacity committed to term nominations. Refineries have yet to announce policies for November. Indonesia remains an exception with healthy bunker fuel availability, while Western Australia has stable supplies, with VLSFO readily available at Kwinana and Fremantle. Along Australia's east coast, supply conditions vary, with Melbourne and Brisbane experiencing tighter HSFO and VLSFO availability due to nearly depleted stocks. The approaching cyclone season could pose additional risks to bunker operations in Australia. New Zealand's market remains broadly stable, with VLSFO readily available at Tauranga and Auckland, while Marsden Point offers both VLSFO and LSMGO through pipeline deliveries. Adverse weather remains the main operational risk, particularly in Wellington and South Island ports.",
  "summary": "Singapore and Malaysia Singapore’s bunker market remains tight despite average demand, with VLSFO lead times extending to 11–18 days from 10–15 days a week earlier. Along with most suppliers continuing to hold low inventories, delays in cargo arrivals amid the ongoing Middle East conflict have further tightened availability, according to a Singapore-based source. HSFO availability ...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}