Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook 12 Aug

Prompt availability tight in the Gibraltar Strait

Barge availability issues in Piraeus

4-5 days of lead time required in Luanda

IMAGE: Aerial view of the Bay of Gibraltar. Getty Images

Northwest Europe

Bunker fuel availability is tight for prompt supplies in the ARA, with buyers advised lead times of 5-7 days to get good coverage from suppliers, a trader said.

The ARA's independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 10% higher so far in August compared to July, according to Insights Global data.

The ARA hub imported 457,000 b/d of fuel oil in the first week of August, a sharp increase from July’s monthly average of 159,000 b/d, according to Vortexa cargo data. Benin (35%) was the biggest import source, followed by Venezuela (19%) and Colombia (17%).

The region's independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – dropped by 9% in the first week of August, compared to July, according to the Insights Global data. The gasoil inventories fell to their lowest level in just over four years.

The region has imported 228,000 b/d of gasoil this month, a considerable rise from 119,000 b/d imported across June, according to Vortexa data. The majority of volumes arrived from the US (23%), Sweden (21%) and France (10%).

Bunker availability is normal in Germany’s Hamburg, and supply of any fuel grade can be secured within five days, a trader told ENGINE.

Availability is tight off Denmark’s Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, with buyers recommended lead times of 10 days for any fuel grade, according to a trader.

Mediterranean

Availability is tight in Gibraltar Strait ports, with buyers recommended lead times of around 7-10 days to get competitive offers from a wide selection of suppliers, a trader said.

Buyers looking to bunker in Barcelona are advised to book a week ahead of delivery, a trader said.

In Las Palmas, fuel availability is tight for prompt supplies, and buyers are advised lead times of 10-12 days for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries, a trader told ENGINE.

VLSFO fuel availability is tight off Malta, with buyers recommended seven days of lead time, a trader said. ULSFO supply requires about six days of notice, while LSMGO is available with a more prompt lead time of 2-5 days.

Prompt fuel availability is tight in Greece’s Piraeus. Buyers looking for HSFO, VLSFO, LSMGO and ULSFO supplies are advised to book with a lead time of around 5-7 days, a trader said. Suppliers are facing tight barge availability in the port, a source told ENGINE.

Fuel availability is good in Türkiye's Istanbul, a local supplier said. Buyers looking to bunker in the port are recommended a notice of four days for VLSFO and 1-3 days for LSMGO and ULSFO supplies, a trader said.

Africa

HSFO availability is tight in most African ports, with suppliers reporting very limited availability.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight for prompt delivery dates in Lome and off Walvis Bay, a trader said. Buyers are advised to book deliveries at least seven days in advance, the trader told ENGINE.

VLSFO deliveries at the Lagos anchorage require 5-7 days’ notice, a local supplier told ENGINE.

In Angola’s Luanda, buyers are advised to book VLSFO and LSMGO supplies with a lead time of 4-5 days, a supplier said.

Prompt VLSFO availability is tight off Algoa Bay, with buyers advised at least 5-7 days’ notice, a trader said.

Bunker availability is tight in Port Louis, with suppliers quoting their earliest delivery dates 10-14 days out for VLSFO and LSMGO, a trader said.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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