East of Suez Fuel Availability Outlook 6 Jan

VLSFO and LSMGO availability good in Singapore

South Korean ports might face weather disruptions

LSMGO supply good across Omani ports

IMAGE: A ship anchored in Djibouti port with giant cranes unloading its cargo. Getty Images

Singapore and Malaysia

In Singapore, most suppliers are now advising lead times of about 2–7 days for VLSFO, compared to 4–6 days last week.

LSMGO availability remains good, with prompt delivery dates still on offer. In contrast, HSFO supply is tight and requires 8–11 days of advance notice, largely unchanged from last week’s 9–10 days.

At Port Klang, both VLSFO and LSMGO grades are readily available—especially for smaller prompt stems—while HSFO supply remains constrained and harder to secure.

East Asia

In Zhoushan, most suppliers are currently advising lead times of 5–8 days for all grades amid subdued demand. This compares with last week, when several suppliers quoted 4–7 days for small parcels across all grades, while larger stems above 1,500 mt required slightly longer windows of 6–10 days.

Fuel availability across northern China remains uneven. Dalian and Qingdao have adequate stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, while HSFO remains tight in Qingdao. All grades are in short supply in Tianjin. In Shanghai, VLSFO and HSFO supplies remain limited, while LSMGO availability is stable.

Further south, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight in Fuzhou. VLSFO supply is sufficient in Xiamen, but LSMGO supply is restricted. Delivery options for both grades remain constrained in Yangpu and Guangzhou.

In Hong Kong, lead times remain steady at around seven days for all grades, broadly unchanged from recent weeks. Across Taiwan, suppliers in Keelung, Taichung, Kaohsiung and Hualien can typically deliver VLSFO and LSMGO within two days, almost unchanged from last week.

Across South Korea, VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains good despite a pickup in demand after the New Year holidays. Most suppliers continue to recommend lead times of 2–5 days, unchanged from last week. HSFO supply, however, has tightened, with most enquiries now handled on a subject-to-availability basis, compared with 2–5 days of lead time last week.

Winter weather poses a risk of operational disruptions. Busan and Ulsan could face disruptions between 7–14 January. Bunker operations at Yeosu could be affected during 7–8 January and again from 10–13 January, while Daesan may see impacts between 7–13 January.

In Japan, prompt VLSFO supply remains tight at major ports including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama and Kawasaki, and is also tight at Osaka, Kobe, Sakai, Mizushima, Nagoya and Yokkaichi. LSMGO availability is generally stable nationwide.

B24-VLSFO is only supplied on request at Tokyo, Chiba, Kawasaki and Yokohama. Prompt HSFO availability has tightened across most Japanese ports.

Suppliers in Tokuyama are currently short of VLSFO and HSFO, although LSMGO supply there remains adequate.

Oceania

Across Australia, bunker supply remains broadly stable, with VLSFO and LSMGO readily available and seven-day lead times still the market norm.

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

In New South Wales, VLSFO can be supplied by both truck and pipeline at Port Kembla, with pipeline batches starting at around 70 mt and smaller volumes delivered by truck. Sydney has one operational barge and can also deliver by truck or, at selected berths, via pipeline. Delivery schedules there are frequently adjusted to accommodate naval and cruise ship movements. While VLSFO and LSMGO inventories remain healthy, HSFO is tight, with suppliers typically requesting about seven days’ notice. Seasonal cruise traffic in Sydney, Cairns and Darwin from December to February may add further pressure on delivery schedules.

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 Gladstone may still experience occasional weather-related delays. Access constraints persist at Brisbane’s AAT terminal. Two barges are now operating in Brisbane—each run by a different supplier—supplying VLSFO and LSMGO, with HSFO available only on enquiry.

In Victoria, suppliers in Melbourne and Geelong hold strong VLSFO and LSMGO inventories. HSFO is tight for prompt delivery, although Melbourne currently has sufficient supply. Both ports rely on a single barge. Lead times remain around seven days, while LSMGO can be trucked to smaller ports such as Portland and Port Welshpool within 2–3 days.

Overall, Australia’s bunker market remains steady. Deliveries within 3–4 days are often achievable due to solid inventories. Even at ports with pipeline infrastructure—such as Darwin and Dampier—suppliers continue to rely heavily on truck deliveries to support distribution.

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

Meanwhile, cyclone season in northern Australia, which runs from November to April, is expected to bring intermittent disruptions, with 9–11 cyclones forecast this year.

South Asia

In Sri Lanka, one supplier is currently quoting lead times of about six days across all fuel grades at both Colombo and Hambantota.

However, rough weather is forecast in Colombo from 6–10 January and in Trincomalee from 6–9 January, which could disrupt bunker delivery operations at the ports during these periods.

Middle East

Prompt bunker supply remains tight in Fujairah across all grades, with several suppliers operating under tight delivery schedules. Most continue to quote lead times of 5–7 days, although a few can still arrange urgent stems at a premium, according to a source. Similar market conditions are reported in Khor Fakkan.

In Basrah, VLSFO and LSMGO remain readily available, while HSFO supply is still limited. In Jeddah, availability of VLSFO and LSMGO has improved, but persistent port congestion continues to slow deliveries.

Meanwhile, Port Suez is facing the opposite situation, with stocks of VLSFO, LSMGO and HSFO close to exhaustion. Adverse weather conditions are forecast in Port Suez on 9 January, and in Port Said on 8–9 January and 12 January, which could further affect operations.

In Ras Laffan, supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO remain tight. VLSFO is available in Djibouti, but LSMGO stocks are nearly exhausted. Meanwhile, supply in Oman’s ports—Sohar, Salalah, Muscat and Duqm—remain stable, with suppliers consistently offering LSMGO with prompt delivery windows.

By Tuhin Roy

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online