Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook 4 March

Buyers see high premiums due to Middle East conflict

Bad weather disrupts Gibraltar traffic

African hubs to see more demand from re-routing ships

IMAGE: Aerial view of Gibraltar Harbour with dark storm clouds in the background. Getty Images

Northwest Europe

Prices across European and African ports have surged this week after Brent crude climbed, following the outbreak of a regional conflict in the Middle East.

The ARA bunkering hub is also seeing sharp premiums, with VLSFO trading at around $559/mt. Some sources have indicated lead times ranging anywhere between 5-15 days.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have declined by 7% in February, according to Insights Global data. At 6.47 million bbls, the region’s fuel oil stocks are at their lowest average since October 2025.

The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – have increased by 6% this month, compared to January.

Fuel availability is tight in Sweden’s Gothenburg and off Denmark’s Skaw, and buyers are advised to book with a notice of at least 10 days at both locations, a trader told ENGINE.

Mediterranean

Inbound traffic has been suspended at Gibraltar due to rough weather, port agent MH Bland said. The port is seeing congestion with around 32 vessels currently awaiting bunkers which could lead to backlogs once operations resume, the port agent added.

Around 40 vessels are expected to call at the Mediterranean port for bunkers between 4-11 March, according to shipping agent A Mateos & Sons.  

In neighbouring Algeciras, all anchorage areas are operative, but bunker barges request supplies to be carried out at the inner anchorage due to the weather, MH Bland said.

All anchorage operations are suspended in Ceuta, while supplies can be carried out ex-pipe subject to pilot’s approval, MH Bland added.

Weather is expected to improve this week, but suppliers are indicating higher lead times due to expected backlogs and market volatility.  

At the Canary Islands' bunkering hub of Las Palmas, availability of all fuel grades is very tight, a trader told ENGINE. One supplier is booked until at least 9 March, the trader added.

Rough weather has caused the cancellation of all operations at Las Palmas’ outer anchorages, according to MH Bland. Supplies can be carried out in the berth and in the inner anchorage, but with delays.

Off Malta, bunker availability is stable, but premiums are high, a trader said. Buyers are recommended lead times of around 2-6 days, the trader said.

In Piraeus, fuel availability is moderate for VLSFO, a source said.

Fuel availability is normal in Turkey’s Istanbul for VLSFO, LSMGO and ULSFO, a supplier said.

Africa

African ports, including Durban and Port Louis, are expected to see increased demand in the coming weeks, as ships re-route from the Red Sea due to the conflict, a trader said.

One supplier in Nigeria’s Lagos said they can supply LSMGO and VLSFO with a lead time of around 7-10 days.  

VLSFO availability is tight in the Angola’s Luanda anchorage, while LSMGO is available more readily, a supplier said.

HSFO supply remains tight off Walvis Bay, a source said.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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