East of Suez Fuel Availability Outlook 3 Feb

VLSFO and HSFO availability tight in Singapore

Bunker demand low in several South Korean ports

VLSFO and LSMGO availability good in Oceanic ports

IMAGE: Industrial cargo ships in Busan port area, South Korea. Getty Images

Singapore and Malaysia

In Singapore, VLSFO supply remains tight as terminal loading delays continue to affect several suppliers, causing some January bookings to roll into February. Recommended lead times for the grade have widened to 10–18 days, compared with 12–14 days last week. A source said the tightness is likely to continue through the first half of February.

HSFO availability has tightened further, with deliveries typically requiring 11–18 days of advance notice, up from 9–12 days last week. In contrast, LSMGO supply has improved, with lead times narrowing to 3–5 days from 7–9 days previously.

At Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO grades are generally well supplied, especially for smaller prompt stems, while HSFO remains tight and more difficult to secure.

East Asia

VLSFO availability in Zhoushan has improved, with several suppliers now indicating lead times of about five days, down from more than seven days last week. HSFO remains constrained, with recommended lead times of around seven days, broadly unchanged week on week. LSMGO supply is comfortable, with steady lead times of 3–5 days.

Across northern China, bunker supply remains uneven. Dalian and Qingdao have adequate availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO, although HSFO is still tight in Qingdao. Bunker supply remains tight across all fuel grades in Tianjin. In Shanghai, VLSFO and HSFO supplies remain limited, while LSMGO availability is stable.

Further south, tight supply persists for both VLSFO and LSMGO in Fuzhou. Suppliers in Xiamen have sufficient supply of VLSFO, but LSMGO is limited. In Yangpu and Guangzhou, delivery options for both grades are still limited.

In Hong Kong, bunker lead times are steady at around seven days for all grades, largely unchanged from recent weeks.

Across Taiwan, lead times for both VLSFO and LSMGO remain broadly stable, with deliveries at Keelung, Taichung, Kaohsiung and Hualien still requiring about two days of advance notice, unchanged from last week.

In South Korea, most suppliers are quoting lead times of around 3–8 days for all fuel grades amid subdued demand, compared with 4–6 days last week. Meanwhile, ongoing winter conditions continue to heighten the risk of operational disruptions. Weather-related interruptions may affect Busan and Ulsan between 6–9 February, Yeosu between 7–9 February, and Daesan from 5–9 February.

Bunkering activity is expected to stay subdued during the Lunar New Year (Seollal) holiday period, observed from 16–18 February, as barge operations are likely to be suspended, although this may vary by supplier, according to a trader.

In Japan, prompt VLSFO supply remains tight at major ports including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Nagoya, Yokkaichi and Mizushima, with recommended lead times of 7–10 days. Supply is steady at Osaka and Kobe.

LSMGO availability remains broadly stable across the country. B24-VLSFO is available only on request at Tokyo, Chiba and Yokohama. HSFO supply is generally stable at several Japanese ports. At Tokuyama and Oita, suppliers report adequate availability of all three grades, while Kashima has good supplies of VLSFO and HSFO.

Oceania

Bunker availability across Australia remains broadly steady, with VLSFO and LSMGO readily available nationwide and seven-day lead times still the norm.

In Western Australia, suppliers are advising lead times of around seven days at Kwinana and Fremantle. Most deliveries are handled by barge from a single supplier, although LSMGO can also be delivered by truck. Strong afternoon winds continue to cause occasional scheduling disruptions.

In New South Wales, VLSFO deliveries at Port Kembla are possible by both truck and pipeline, with pipeline parcels starting at around 70 mt, while smaller volumes are supplied by truck. Sydney is currently operating with one barge and also offers truck deliveries and pipeline supply at selected berths. Delivery schedules there are frequently adjusted to accommodate naval and cruise vessels. Although VLSFO and LSMGO inventories remain healthy, HSFO availability is tight, with suppliers generally requiring about seven days’ notice. Seasonal cruise traffic in Sydney, Cairns and Darwin between December and February is expected to add further pressure to delivery schedules.

A supplier in Sydney noted that ports are facing heavy vessel traffic as it is the peak cruise season, though availability remains steady, according to a source.

In Brisbane and Gladstone, VLSFO and LSMGO continue to be supplied with similar seven-day lead times. HSFO is available on request in Brisbane, while suppliers in Gladstone may still experience intermittent weather-related delays. Access constraints persist at Brisbane’s AAT terminal. Two barges, operated by different suppliers, are currently active in Brisbane supplying VLSFO and LSMGO, with HSFO offered only on enquiry.

In Victoria, suppliers in Melbourne and Geelong hold strong inventories of VLSFO and LSMGO. HSFO remains tight for prompt delivery, although Melbourne currently has adequate supply. Both ports rely on a single barge, and lead times remain steady at around 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 remains stable, with deliveries often achievable within 3–4 days due to healthy inventory levels. Even at ports with pipeline infrastructure, including Darwin and Dampier, suppliers continue to rely heavily on truck deliveries to support distribution.

In New Zealand, bunker supply is stable. VLSFO is widely available at Tauranga and Auckland, with pipeline access available at certain berths in Tauranga. At Marsden Point, both VLSFO and LSMGO can be delivered by pipeline to cargo vessels, while truck availability across South Island ports remains limited.

Meanwhile, the northern Australian cyclone season, which runs from November to April, is expected to cause intermittent disruptions, with 9–11 cyclones forecast this year, a source said.

A tropical cyclone could potentially form off the coast of Western Australia later this week. A low-pressure system is currently over the Northern Territory, bringing heavy rainfall, although no port warnings have been issued so far, the source added.

South Asia

Rough weather is expected to affect bunkering operations at India’s Kandla and Sikka ports on 4 February, potentially causing temporary disruptions.

Similar conditions are forecast at Sri Lanka’s Colombo port on 4 February, while adverse weather in Trincomalee between 3–7 February may also interrupt bunkering activity.

Middle East

Prompt bunker supply in Fujairah remains constrained across all fuel grades, with several suppliers operating on tight delivery schedules. Most continue to quote lead times of 5–7 days, almost unchanged from last week, according to a source. Bunker supply is tight in Khor Fakkan as well.

In Basrah, VLSFO and LSMGO remain readily available, while HSFO supply is still limited. At Jeddah, availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO has improved, but ongoing port congestion continues to slow bunker delivery operations.

Port Suez shows a contrasting situation, with stocks of VLSFO, LSMGO and HSFO close to depletion. Weather-related disruptions to bunkering are expected at Port Said between 5–6 February.

In Ras Laffan, VLSFO and LSMGO supplies remain tight. VLSFO supply is stable in Djibouti, although LSMGO inventories are nearly exhausted.

Across Oman’s ports—Sohar, Salalah, Muscat and Duqm—bunker availability remains stable, with suppliers consistently able to offer LSMGO within prompt delivery windows.

By Tuhin Roy

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