Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook 13 May

Prompt availability tight in the Gibraltar Strait

Rough weather complicates bunkering off Malta

10-15-day lead times advised in Port Louis

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

Northwest Europe

Availability of all bunker fuel grades is stable in the ARA hub, with buyers advised to book around 4-5 days ahead to get good coverage from suppliers, a trader said.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 4% lower in May so far than in April, according to Insights Global data. The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – have averaged 7% lower this month. Gasoil stocks are at their lowest since December 2023.

In Germany’s Hamburg, suppliers require around five days of lead time to arrange deliveries of any fuel grade, a trader told ENGINE.

Off Denmark’s Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, buyers require around 10 days of notice for delivery of any fuel grade, according to a trader.

Mediterranean

Bunker availability is tight for prompt delivery dates in the Gibraltar Strait ports, a trader said. Suppliers need around 7-10 days of notice on average to arrange deliveries, according to a trader.

Suppliers in Gibraltar are running around 12 hours after schedule on deliveries, port agent MH Bland said. In neighbouring Algeciras, suppliers may be anywhere between 4-24 hours behind schedule on deliveries, the port agent added.

Las Palmas is seeing tight availability, and buyers are advised to book stems at least 7-10 days before delivery dates to get competitive offers from a wide selection of suppliers, a trader said.

In Spain’s Huelva, buyers can source supplies easily with a lead time of around five days, according to a trader.

In Spain’s Valencia all fuel grades are readily available, and a lead time of around 5-7 days is required for delivery of HSFO, ULSFO and LSMGO grades, a trader said.

Weather-related disruptions off Malta have complicated bunkering in the area, a trader told ENGINE. Availability is tight and loading delays can increase lead times, the trader added.

Bunker operations have been delayed by a few hours due to supply backlogs, a source said. More rough weather is expected between Wednesday and Thursday.

In Italy’s Augusta, bunker fuel is available more readily and deliveries can be carried out on a prompt basis, a trader said.

Fuel availability is stable in Türkiye's Istanbul, with buyers able to secure deliveries on a prompt basis, a trader told ENGINE.

In the Romanian Black Sea ports of Constantza, Midia and Mangalia, LSMGO availability is stable, a local supplier said. LSMGO demand in these ports usually comes from general cargo vessels and dry bulk ships, the supplier told ENGINE.

Africa

In Senegal’s Dakar, VLSFO availability is very tight and deliveries are only available from June at the earliest, a local supplier said.

Bunker fuel demand remains strong in Togo’s Lome, and buyers require around 10 days of lead time to arrange VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries, a trader said.  

In Nigeria’s Lagos, a supplier can deliver VLSFO with a lead time of 5-7 days, a local supplier said.

In Angola’s Luanda, a supplier said it can only deliver VLSFO from June, while LSMGO supplies are available with a lead time of around 3-4 days.

Suppliers are requesting lead times of 10 days for VLSFO and LSMGO supplies off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, a trader said.

In South Africa’s Durban, bunker supply is normal and HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries still need a notice of around 5-7 days, a trader said.

In the Mozambican port of Nacala, buyers are recommended around 7-10 days of lead time for VLSFO supplies, a trader said.

In Kenya’s Mombasa, LSMGO supplies are available promptly, a trader said

In Mauritius’ Port Louis, fuel demand is high and buyers are advised to enquire about supplies there with a lead time of around 10-15 days for all fuel grades, according to a trader.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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