East of Suez Fuel Availability Outlook 17 Feb

VLSFO and LSMGO availability good in Port Klang

LSMGO and HSFO availability good across several Japanese ports

Prompt availability tight across all grades in Fujairah

IMAGE: Aerial view of Saudi Arabian port of Jeddah with cargo ships and dry docks. Getty Images

Singapore and Malaysia

In Singapore, VLSFO supply remains tight, with recommended lead times of 8–13 days, largely in line with last week’s 9–13 days. HSFO availability is also constrained, though lead times have narrowed to 8–12 days from 7–18 days previously. LSMGO typically requires 6–10 days, compared with a wider range of 2–10-days last week.

The persistent tightness stems from overlapping pressures: inconsistent lead times among suppliers, elevated premiums for prompt stems and heavily booked loading schedules.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have stayed broadly stable so far in February, according to Enterprise Singapore. Total fuel oil inventories have edged above 23 million bbls, even as net imports have declined by 4% so far this month. During this period, imports rose by 540,000 bbls, but exports increased more sharply by 678,000 bbls.

The port’s middle distillate inventories have also climbed, averaging 9% higher this month.

At Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO are generally well supplied—particularly for smaller prompt requirements—while HSFO remains tight and comparatively difficult to secure.

East Asia

Bunker availability across China remains tight for all fuel grades, even though demand is subdued. Several suppliers are maintaining lead times of 7–10 days, unchanged from the previous week.

Supply conditions in northern China are mixed. Dalian and Qingdao have sufficient volumes of VLSFO and LSMGO, but HSFO remains constrained in Qingdao. Bunker supply is tight across all grades in Tianjin. In Shanghai, VLSFO and HSFO availability is limited, while LSMGO supply is comparatively steady.

In the south, supply of both VLSFO and LSMGO is tight in Fuzhou. Suppliers in Xiamen have adequate VLSFO stocks, though LSMGO remains restricted. Delivery schedules in Yangpu and Guangzhou are also constrained for both grades.

Bunkering activity across China is expected to remain slow during the Chinese New Year holiday period from 15–23 February, as several suppliers have paused operations. No new stems will be accepted during this period, and only previously confirmed deliveries will go ahead, according to market sources.

In Hong Kong, bunkering services will continue through the holiday period, though suppliers are imposing seasonal surcharges. Lead times there remain steady at about seven days for all grades.

In Taiwan, fresh stem deliveries at several ports have been temporarily suspended due to holidays. Delivery of fresh stems remain halted until 18 February in Keelung, Taichung and Suao, while suspension in Hualien runs from 16–19 February, according to CPC Corporation. Only pre-booked stems will be supplied during these periods. Kaohsiung, however, will maintain normal bunkering operations throughout the holiday period.

In South Korea, suppliers have shortened lead times to around 3–7 days for all bunker grades, compared with 7–8 days last week. Bunkering activity is expected to remain subdued during the Lunar New Year (Seollal) holidays from 16–18 February, when barge operations may remain suspended, depending on the supplier, according to a trader.

In Japan, VLSFO supply remains ample in major ports such as Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, and Kawasaki. However, availability is tight in Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Mizushima and Tokuyama, where recommended lead times are holding at 7–10 days. LSMGO supply is generally steady nationwide.

B24-VLSFO is available on request in Tokyo, Chiba and Yokohama. HSFO stocks are broadly stable across several ports. Oita reports sufficient volumes of all three grades, while Kashima has adequate availability of both VLSFO and HSFO.

Bunkering activity in Japan is expected to be slow on 23 February due to the observance of the Emperor’s Birthday.

Oceania

Bunker availability across Australia remains largely steady. VLSFO and LSMGO are widely accessible nationwide, with typical lead times of around seven days.

In Western Australia, suppliers in Kwinana and Fremantle are advising about a week’s notice. Deliveries are mostly carried out by barge through a single supplier, while LSMGO can also be transported by truck. Strong afternoon winds continue to cause occasional scheduling hiccups.

In New South Wales, VLSFO can be delivered by both truck and pipeline, with pipeline parcels generally starting at about 70 mt and smaller lots moved by truck. In Sydney, one barge is operational, with truck and limited pipeline options available at selected berths. Delivery plans there are frequently adjusted to prioritise naval and cruise vessels. Although VLSFO and LSMGO stocks are healthy, HSFO remains tight and typically requires seven days’ notice. Peak cruise season from December to February in Sydney, Cairns and Darwin is adding pressure to berth and barge schedules. One Sydney supplier noted that heavy vessel traffic is stretching port logistics, though supply overall remains stable.

Suppliers in Queensland, Brisbane and Gladstone continue to supply VLSFO and LSMGO with lead times of around seven days. HSFO is available on request in Brisbane. Gladstone may still experience occasional weather-related delays, and access restrictions remain at Brisbane’s AAT terminal. Two barges operated by separate suppliers are active in Brisbane, handling VLSFO and LSMGO, while HSFO is offered on enquiry.

In Victoria, suppliers in Melbourne and Geelong report strong inventories of VLSFO and LSMGO. HSFO remains tight for prompt delivery, although Melbourne currently has adequate supply. Both ports depend on a single barge, and lead times remain close to seven days. LSMGO can also be delivered by truck to smaller ports such as Portland and Port Welshpool within 2–3 days.

Overall, Australia’s bunker market is balanced, with many deliveries achievable within three to four days due to comfortable stock levels. Even at pipeline-equipped ports like Darwin and Dampier, truck deliveries continue to play a central role in distribution.

In New Zealand, supply conditions are stable. VLSFO is readily available at Tauranga and Auckland, with pipeline access at certain Tauranga berths. Marsden Point can deliver both VLSFO and LSMGO via pipeline to cargo vessels, though truck supply across South Island ports remains limited.

Meanwhile, Australia’s northern cyclone season, which runs from November to April, is expected to cause intermittent disruptions. Around 9-11 cyclones are forecast this year, according to a source.

South Asia

In Sri Lanka, bunker availability remains strong. A supplier operating at both Colombo and Hambantota is quoting lead times of around five days for all fuel grades.

Adverse weather is forecast to disrupt operations at Colombo on 19 February and at Trincomalee between 17–21 February, which could lead to disruptions in bunkering activities.

Middle East

In Fujairah, prompt bunker availability remains constrained across all fuel grades. Most suppliers are quoting lead times of 5–7 days, although urgent stems can still be arranged at a premium, according to market sources. Tight supply conditions are also observed at Khor Fakkan.

In Basrah, VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available, while HSFO continues to face supply limitations. Jeddah has seen improved availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO, but ongoing port congestion is delaying bunker operations.

At Port Suez, inventories of VLSFO, LSMGO and HSFO are close to running dry, and adverse weather is expected to disrupt bunkering at both Port Suez and Port Said on 18 February.

In Ras Laffan, VLSFO and LSMGO remain in tight supply. VLSFO availability is steady in Djibouti, though LSMGO stocks are nearly depleted.

Across Oman—covering Sohar, Salalah, Muscat and Duqm—bunker supply remains steady, with suppliers regularly offering LSMGO for prompt delivery.

By Tuhin Roy

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