East of Suez Fuel Availability Outlook 7 Apr

HSFO and LSMGO availability tight in Port Klang

Bunker supply severely tight across several Japanese ports

Availability tight across all grades in Fujairah

IMAGE: White lighthouse and traffic control tower in front of the Port of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Getty Images

Singapore and Malaysia

“Prices are still affected by Middle East crisis,” a Singapore-based trader said.

Bunker prices in Singapore have remained firm, largely supported by ongoing tensions in the Middle East. These tensions have buoyed Brent crude prices and disrupted flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil trade.

In the prompt market, VLSFO continues to face pressure, with recommended lead times now at 6–11 days, compared to 10–12 days last week. HSFO availability remains constrained within a 7–10-day range, down from 9–13 days previously.

LSMGO lead times have eased slightly to around 2–6 days, compared with 5–8 days last week.

At Port Klang, VLSFO availability is relatively stable, particularly for smaller prompt stems. However, LSMGO supply has tightened, while HSFO availability remains limited, making both grades increasingly difficult to secure.

East Asia

In Zhoushan, availability across all fuel grades has tightened, with most suppliers running low on stocks due to cargo delays, a source said. Lead times have lengthened to 7–10 days for VLSFO and 5–10 days for both LSMGO and HSFO, up sharply from last week’s typical 3–5 days across all grades.

Across northern China, supply conditions vary. Dalian and Qingdao have adequate VLSFO and LSMGO availability, although HSFO remains limited in Qingdao. Tianjin is facing tight supply across all grades, while in Shanghai, VLSFO and HSFO stocks are constrained, with LSMGO availability relatively steady.

Further south, tighter conditions continue. Fuzhou is experiencing limited availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO. Xiamen has sufficient VLSFO supply but restricted LSMGO volumes. In Yangpu and Guangzhou, both grades remain under pressure.

In Hong Kong, bunker supply is largely stable, with lead times for all grades holding at around seven days in recent weeks.

In Taiwan, supply remains mostly unaffected by Middle East tensions, though prices have reacted sharply. Volatility in Brent crude, driven by regional tensions, has significantly influenced bunker markets, a Taiwan-based trader noted.

Recommended lead times for VLSFO and MGO in Keelung, Taichung, Kaohsiung and Hualien are currently around two days.

In South Korea’s southern ports—including Busan, Ulsan, Masan, Onsan, Yeosu and Kwangyang—lead times for all fuel grades have extended to around 4–5 days, up from 2–3 days the previous week.

At western ports such as Incheon, Daesan, Dangjin, Pyeongtaek and Taean, lead times stand at about four days, compared to 2–4 days last week. HSFO had been subject to availability during the previous week.

Elevated bunker prices have weakened buying interest across South Korean ports, resulting in softer demand, a trader noted. The ongoing Middle East crisis is expected to affect most South Korean suppliers, although one supplier may be less impacted due to its affiliation with a Saudi Arabian oil major, the source added.

Weather conditions continue to disrupt operations. Potential delays are expected to affect Busan and Ulsan between 9–11 April, and Yeosu and Daesan on 9 April.

In Japan, the bunker market remains extremely tight amid Middle East tensions and shifts in crude procurement, with spot supply west of Hanshin virtually unavailable. However, temporary refinery issues have slightly eased HSFO availability, according to a Japan-based trader.

Suppliers are quoting discreetly, with successful deals relying on private, one-on-one negotiations rather than broad market inquiries. One supplier is offering up to 2,000 mt of HSFO only for exclusive, targeted discussions, while others are supplying smaller VLSFO parcels of 100–300 mt. MGO remains extremely tight and heavily schedule-dependent, the source added.

As a result, availability of all fuel grades across major Japanese hubs—including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Mizushima, Kashima, Tokuyama and Oita—is now being assessed strictly on a case-by-case basis.

Oceania

Bunker prices across several Australian ports remain elevated, largely driven by the ongoing Middle East crisis, an Australia-based trader said.

In response, the Australian Government has reduced fuel excise on petrol and diesel by half for a three-month period starting 1 April.

Supply pressures are becoming evident, with ports such as Dampier, Darwin, Kwinana and Melbourne nearing depletion of LSMGO stocks, the trader added.

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

In New South Wales, VLSFO deliveries at Port Kembla can be arranged via truck or pipeline. Suppliers in Sydney maintain ample inventories of VLSFO and LSMGO, although HSFO remains tight, with lead times of around seven days.

In Queensland, ports including Brisbane and Gladstone are offering VLSFO and LSMGO with lead times of roughly seven days. HSFO in Brisbane is available on request. Deliveries of VLSFO and LSMGO are handled by two barges operated by separate suppliers, while HSFO is strictly offered on an enquiry basis.

In Victoria, VLSFO stocks are strong in both Melbourne and Geelong, but HSFO availability remains limited for prompt supply. Bunkering operations in these ports rely on a single barge, with lead times close to seven days.

In New Zealand, bunker supply conditions remain stable. VLSFO is readily available in Tauranga and Auckland, with some Tauranga berths connected by pipeline. At Marsden Point, both VLSFO and LSMGO can be supplied via pipeline to cargo vessels, although truck-based deliveries across South Island ports continue to face constraints.

South Asia

Supply of VLSFO and LSMGO remains constrained across several Indian ports. In Kandla, prompt availability of both grades is tight, with lead times of 7–8 days, while HSFO stocks in Mumbai are nearly exhausted. At Tuticorin and Mormugao, availability is also limited, with all fuel grades close to depletion, a source said.

In Sri Lanka’s Port of Colombo, supply conditions remain healthy across all grades, with one supplier indicating lead times of around three days.

Bunker demand at the port initially rose amid the Middle East crisis, as disruptions and uncertainty at key hubs such as Port of Fujairah diverted enquiries toward alternative locations. However, demand has since stabilised, according to a Sri Lanka-based source.

Middle East

Bunkering operations at the Port of Fujairah remain uninterrupted despite the ongoing regional crisis, although supply conditions are tight.

In the Port of Fujairah, bunkering is progressing, but prompt fuel availability remains tight amid “limited supply, strict scheduling, firm nominations, and possible delays in barge availability,’” a Middle East-based trader said.

Authorities in Fujairah and Khor Fakkan Port have issued navigational warnings following reports of intermittent GPS spoofing and signal jamming offshore. Such disruptions can result in inaccurate positioning, erratic vessel movements and misleading navigation data, prompting mariners to treat the area as high risk, according to Inchcape Shipping.

Most terminals and anchorages continue to operate fully or partially without disruption. However, fuel availability in Fujairah remains tight across all grades, with offers subject to firm enquiry.

Elsewhere in the UAE, operations at Jebel Ali Port, Hamriyah Port and Sharjah Port are proceeding normally. Petroleum terminals in Abu Dhabi, including Ruwais Port, are also functioning without interruption.

Ports in Ras Al Khaimah remain fully operational. However, earlier this month, RAK Ports Group introduced a marine risk surcharge for all vessels calling at its ports, harbours, anchorages and approaches, according to the shipping agency.

“Prompt operations are difficult and challenging across the region,” and “last-minute requests usually come with premiums and higher risk of delays or non-availability,” a trader warned.

“Plan 5–7 days ahead, confirm early, and avoid changes to ensure smooth bunkering,” the trader advised.

In Kuwait, both Shuaiba Port and Shuwaikh Port continue to operate normally.

In Saudi Arabia, no formal alerts have been issued, although bunker availability remains tight in Jeddah Port, particularly for VLSFO and LSMGO. “Port operations going smoothly,” another source said.

In Qatar, port operations and vessel movements remain steady at Hamad Port, Doha Port and Al Ruwais Port, with activity also continuing at Mesaieed Port and Ras Laffan Port. However, VLSFO and LSMGO supply is tight in Ras Laffan, while Al Ruwais Port is limited to smaller vessels such as dhows and barges.

In Oman, ports such as Sohar and Duqm are seeing smoother operations, with “better barge availability and more flexibility,” an Oman-based source said. Bunkering, including LSMGO, remains good in Muscat, Duqm and Sohar, with prompt lead times, the source added.

In Bahrain, vessel movements are gradually resuming, although operations remain limited under current conditions. The Suez Canal and all Egyptian ports continue to function normally, while conditions remain stable in Jordan. Ports in Iraq, Cyprus, Pakistan and Lebanon are also operating as usual.

Meanwhile, Israeli ports—including Eilat Port, Ashkelon Port, Ashdod Port, Hadera Port and Haifa Port—are operating at full capacity, the shipping agency added.

By Tuhin Roy

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