northwestern europe
Prompt availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal in Rotterdam and other ports at the ARA bunkering hub. Recommended delivery times for LSMGO and VLSFO in Rotterdam are 3-4 days, while HSFO may need 5-6 days, sources say.
ARA’s independent fuel oil stocks have averaged 4% higher so far this month than in October, according to Insights Global data. The region’s fuel oil inventories have risen above their five-year average position for the year. This comes despite a large drop in net imports this month.
According to cargo tracker Vortexa, fuel oil cargo imports have mainly arrived in the ARA from the UK, Saudi Arabia, Poland and Lithuania during the month.
ARA’s November average diesel stocks have also risen, but remain well below their five-year average position.
The ongoing workers’ strike at BP’s Rotterdam refinery has not affected bunker supplies at ARA, according to market sources. A majority of workers at BP’s 393,800 b/d Rotterdam refinery voted to continue the strike after a new round of negotiations to resolve the dispute over the wage increase failed on Monday.
According to a source, the supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal in Skaw, requiring a lead time of about seven days. However, ensuring fast delivery of HSFO can be difficult there, the source adds.
Bunker supply is said to be normal in the British port of Falmouth, where suppliers can offer fast delivery of LSMGO, a source says.
Mediterranean
The supply of bunker fuels in all grades is said to be normal in the ports of the Strait of Gibraltar. Some providers may offer VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries for spot dates there, and HSFO requires delivery times of around 4-5 days, a source says.
The availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal in Algeciras and Las Palmas. But the spot supply of the two grades is in short supply in Malta, a source says.
Bunkering in the outer anchorage has been suspended in Las Palmas since last week due to bad weather conditions. The weather is forecast to remain harsh in Las Palmas this week, which could keep bunker operations at the port’s exposed outer anchorage suspended. Bunker deliveries are available via pipeline at quayside, or by barge at the harbor’s inner anchorage, says port agent MH Bland. The Las Palmas inland anchorage has a limited bunker capacity of only one vessel at a time. Delays are expected this week.
Bunker operations are operating as normal in other ports in the Strait of Gibraltar, including Algeciras, Ceuta and Malta. Bunkering resumed at Malta Offshore from Monday afternoon after being suspended over the weekend due to bad weather. According to the Seatrans Shipping agency, 12 vessels were scheduled to arrive to receive bunkers in and out of Malta on Wednesday.
With suspended offshore bunkering at Las Palmas and Malta facing disruption earlier this week, fuel calls at other regional ports have increased this week. On average daily, this week 11 bunker ships have arrived in Ceuta, compared to eight last week. Bunker supply is said to be normal there.
Bad weather conditions have affected bunker deliveries at the Spanish port of Pasajes this week, a source says.
In the French port of Le Havre, fast supply of VLSFO is said to be normal, while LSMGO is a bit lacking.
In the Greek port of Piraeus, the availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be good. Suppliers can offer fast deliveries there, says a source.
Africa
Bunkering operations resumed in Algoa Bay on Wednesday after being suspended for a day due to strong winds and waves, ship agency Rennies says. The providers are currently working to eliminate bunker delays there. Eleven vessels are scheduled to arrive at bunkers in Algoa Bay and Port Elizabeth this week, according to Rennies.
VLSFO and LSMGO availability is said to be normal in Durban and Algoa Bay in South Africa. Delivery times of about seven days are recommended for both products, according to a source.
Bunker supplies from VLSFO and LSMGO remain good at Mozambique’s Maputo and Nacala ports, with bunkering progressing normally at both locations, a source says. Some suppliers may offer deliveries for specific dates. Five bunker ships are scheduled to arrive in Nacala this week, the source adds.
Nacala’s VLSFO price is discounted by $20-30/mt to other regional ports, including Durban and even Algoa Bay.
Source: ENGINE, by Shilpa Sharma (https://engine.online/)
