East of Suez Fuel Availability Outlook 28 Apr

Bunker availability tight in Zhoushan

Bunker supply tight across several Japanese ports

Fuel availability tight across all grades in Fujairah

IMAGE: An aerial view of Sohar Port and Freezone. Sohar Port and Freezone

Singapore and Malaysia

VLSFO delivery schedules in Singapore have stretched further, now ranging between 7-15 days, compared to 5-12 days previously. HSFO lead times have also lengthened to 7-12 days from last week’s 5-10-day window. LSMGO availability has tightened as well, with lead times extending to 6-9 days, up from 2-7 days.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil inventories have trended lower, averaging 5% below March levels so far in April, according to Enterprise Singapore. Fuel oil inventories have dipped under 23 million bbls, amid a sharp 48% decline in net imports during the month. Imports have fallen by 1.62 million bbls, while exports have risen by 664,000 bbls. In contrast, middle distillate inventories have averaged 20% higher during the same period, climbing to their highest point since June.

At Malaysia’s Port Klang, VLSFO supply remains relatively stable, especially for smaller prompt volumes. Tighter conditions persist for LSMGO, while HSFO availability continues to face constraints, making both grades increasingly difficult to secure.

East Asia

Availability in Zhoushan has tightened across all fuel grades, with several suppliers reporting low stocks. VLSFO now requires lead times of 8-10 days, while LSMGO and HSFO deliveries require 6-9 days. This marks a clear increase from last week, when lead times across all grades stood at 3-7 days, according to a source.

Bunker demand in China is expected to soften over the Chinese Labour Day holiday period from 1-5 May. Most suppliers are unlikely to accept new orders during this window, with 29 April effectively serving as the final booking date for stems scheduled within the holiday period at most ports, another source said.

Supply conditions across northern China remain uneven. Dalian and Qingdao have sufficient stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, though HSFO remains tight in Qingdao. Bunker supply is tight across all grades in Tianjin. VLSFO and HSFO availability is constrained in Shanghai, while LSMGO supply is comparatively steady.

Further south, availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO is limited in Fuzhou. Xiamen has adequate VLSFO stocks but limited LSMGO volumes. In Yangpu and Guangzhou, both grades continue to face tight supply conditions.

In Hong Kong, bunker availability remains broadly stable, with lead times for all grades holding at around seven days in recent weeks.

Taiwan’s bunker market remains steady, according to local sources. Lead times are approximately two days for both VLSFO and LSMGO at Keelung and Hualien, extending slightly to around three days at Taichung and Kaohsiung.

In South Korea’s southern ports - Busan, Ulsan, Masan, Onsan, Yeosu and Kwangyang - recommended lead times for both VLSFO and LSMGO have extended to around 3-5 days, compared to 2-3 days last week.

Across western ports, including Incheon, Daesan, Dangjin, Pyeongtaek and Taean, lead times have lengthened to about five days, up from the previous 2-3-day range. HSFO availability has tightened significantly on both coasts and is now largely offered on an enquiry basis, versus firmer 2-3-day supply last week.

Weather-related disruptions continue to pose risks. Delays are expected in Busan and Ulsan around 2 May, in Yeosu between 1-3 May, and in Daesan from 3-4 May.

In Japan, supply conditions show slight improvement for VLSFO and HSFO in parcel sizes of 200-500 mt across key hubs such as Tokyo Bay, Nagoya and Osaka. However, south of Mizushima, availability of both grades remains severely constrained. LSMGO supply continues to be tight nationwide.

Recommended lead times stand at approximately 7-10 days for HSFO and 10-12 days for VLSFO across major ports including Tokyo, Chiba, Kawasaki, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Osaka and Kobe. At Kashima, Mizushima, Tokuyama and Oita, both grades are still subject to enquiry.

Oceania

Bunker availability across Australian ports has improved, though prices remain firm and smaller suppliers continue to face limitations on volumes, according to a local trader.

In Western Australia, VLSFO supply at Kwinana and Fremantle generally requires about a week’s notice, with deliveries conducted by barge through a single supplier.

Along the east coast, conditions vary by region. In New South Wales, Port Kembla can facilitate VLSFO deliveries via truck or pipeline. Suppliers in Sydney hold comfortable stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, but HSFO supply remains tight, typically requiring around seven days’ lead time.

In Queensland, suppliers in ports such as Brisbane and Gladstone are offering VLSFO and LSMGO with lead times of roughly seven days. HSFO in Brisbane is supplied on a request basis. Deliveries of VLSFO and LSMGO are carried out by two barges operated by different suppliers, while HSFO availability depends on enquiry.

Further south in Victoria, VLSFO inventories are healthy in both Melbourne and Geelong. However, HSFO remains limited for prompt delivery. Bunkering in these ports relies on a single barge, with recommended lead times close to seven days.

Australia’s cyclone season - typically spanning November to April - is now drawing to a close, easing weather-related disruptions.

In New Zealand, supply conditions remain steady. VLSFO is readily available in Tauranga and Auckland, with some Tauranga berths connected by pipeline. At Marsden Point, both VLSFO and LSMGO can be delivered directly via pipeline to vessels.

South Asia

In India, VLSFO supply is tight across Kandla, Sikka, Hazira and New Mangalore, with lead times of around 6-7 days, according to market sources.

Weather conditions are expected to disrupt operations at several ports - including Kandla, Sikka and Visakhapatnam - between 28 April and 2 May, potentially impacting bunkering activity.

In Sri Lanka, by contrast, supply remains robust. Both Colombo and Hambantota are well-stocked across all grades, with at least one supplier offering prompt deliveries.

Middle East

“Operational conditions across Middle Eastern ports are gradually improving, with bunkering activities returning closer to normal levels. However, prices remain impacted by earlier disruptions and supply constraints, and are still relatively elevated,” a regional source said.

At Fujairah, bunkering is proceeding without interruption, with terminals and anchorages functioning normally. Bunker supply is "tight as of now, all offers are subject to firm inquiry,” another trader noted. While some suppliers still hold stocks, others are running close to empty “as no imports coming in at the moment,” a trader added.

Across the UAE, operations at Jebel Ali, Hamriyah and Sharjah are continuing as usual, according to Inchcape Shipping. Ports in Ras Al Khaimah are also fully operational, although RAK Ports implemented a marine risk surcharge in March for vessels calling at its ports, harbours and anchorages.

In Kuwait, both Shuaiba and Shuwaikh are operating normally. Saudi Arabia has issued no formal alerts, but bunker availability in Jeddah remains tight, particularly for VLSFO and LSMGO.

In Qatar, bunkering is progressing smoothly at Hamad, Doha and Al Ruwais ports, with operations also continuing at Mesaieed and Ras Laffan. However, VLSFO and LSMGO supply is tight in Ras Laffan, while in Al Ruwais availability is limited to smaller vessels such as dhows and barges.

“LSMGO is still available on a prompt basis in Oman, with an estimated lead time of 3–4 days, subject to nomination and supplier confirmation,” an Oman-based trader said.

In Bahrain, vessel traffic is gradually picking up, though operations are still limited. Egyptian ports are functioning normally, but VLSFO stocks at Port Suez are nearly exhausted, while LSMGO and HSFO remain sufficiently available.

Both VLSFO and LSMGO are in tight supply at Djibouti port. Meanwhile, operations continue as normal across Iraq, Cyprus, Pakistan and Lebanon, according to Inchcape Shipping.

By Tuhin Roy

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