northwestern europe
HSFO is short on time for bunker delivery dates with various vendors in the ARA. Like last week, around 5-6 days delivery time is generally recommended for good coverage from suppliers. But while bunker schedules are under pressure, there are pockets of immediate availability. At least one supplier has been able to offer the grade for overnight delivery.
VLSFO and LSMGO grades are most readily available from Europe’s main fueling hub, with a recommended delivery time of around 3-4 days.
ARA independent diesel stocks have gradually recovered from a low last summer and have averaged 6% above November levels in December.
The region’s fuel oil stocks have grown marginally since November, but remain close to their lows since last May. Fuel oil imports increased by a third in December from November levels, helped somewhat by a resumption of incoming Russian volumes.
Until this month, Vortexa had not recorded any Russian fuel oil imports landing in the ARA since August. Before the Ukraine invaded, and European countries and companies responded with sanctions and self-sanctions, Russia was the main source of imports of ARA fuel oil. By February 5 next year, all imports of Russian fuel oil, diesel and other petroleum products must be phased out at ARA and other EU ports.
All fuel grades are available for punctual delivery dates in Hamburg. Fuel oil grades are tight in Bremerhaven, while LSMGO is readily available there, a source says.
Mediterranean
Almost no congestion was reported in Gibraltar on Wednesday, with only one ship waiting for the free space to fill up, according to port agent MH Bland. All providers are on time.
On the other side of the bay, in Algeciras, the three providers are delayed between 6 and 18 hours. The port’s Alpha anchorage is particularly congested with delays reaching 16-24 hours, says MH Bland.
Meanwhile, bunker operations are developing normally in Ceuta. According to shipping agent Jose Salama & Co., a supplier in Ceuta was 4 to 6 hours behind on anchorage deliveries, MH Bland said.
The Las Palmas outer anchorage has been closed to bunkering for two days this week and could remain closed on Thursday as well. High waves and strong winds have complicated deliveries.
Bunker availability is low for specific dates off Malta, according to a source. Suppliers have increasingly looked to next week’s delivery dates for reservations.
Africa
Bunkering operations have been halted at Algoa Bay due to bad weather. Eleven ships are scheduled to arrive this week at the port, according to Rennies Ships Agency. Some of these could wait if weather conditions continue to be adverse. The weather is forecast to calm down from Saturday.
While bunker deliveries are threatened by unfavorable conditions in Algoa Bay, there are no major issues with bunker fuel supply volumes in Algoa Bay or Durban. The fast product is possible to book for delivery in both ports.
Fuel supply continues as normal in the ports of Nacala and Maputo in Mozambique. The demand has recovered. Three ships are scheduled to arrive at the bunker in Nacala this week and four in Maputo. That’s more than a total of three ships in ports last week.
Source: ENGINE, by Erik Hoffmann, https://engine.online/
