Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook 6 May

ARA fuel oil inventories fell 15% in April

Normal availability off Malta

Availability improved in Port Louis

IMAGE: View from the Rock of Gibraltar, UK to Algeciras, Spain. Getty Images

Northwest Europe

Availability of marine fuels is stable in the ARA hub, a trader said. Buyers looking to bunker there are being advised a lead time of 4-5 days ahead to get good coverage from suppliers, a trader said.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks decreased by 15% in April, according to Insights Global data. At 4.37 million bbls, the region’s fuel oil stocks were at their lowest monthly average in a decade.

The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – averaged 10% lower in April than in March. They fell to an eight-month low.

Bunker suppliers in Germany’s Hamburg require a notice of around five days to deliver any fuel grade, a trader told ENGINE.

Bunker availability remains tight off Denmark’s Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, and buyers require around 10 days of notice for delivery of any fuel grade in the area, according to a trader.

Mediterranean

Availability of all fuel grades is a bit tight for prompt dates in Gibraltar Strait ports, and suppliers need around 7-10 days of notice to arrange deliveries, according to a trader.

Around nine vessels were waiting for bunkers in Gibraltar on Wednesday morning due to unavailability of space or barges, port agent MH Bland said. Around 4-24 hours of delay is expected in Algeciras, the port agent said.

Las Palmas has tight prompt availability, with buyers advising to enquire around 7-10 days ahead to get competitive offers from a wide selection of suppliers, a trader said.

In Spain’s Huelva, fuel availability remains stable and around five days of lead time is sufficient to get delivery of any fuel grade, according to a trader.

Fuel availability in Spain’s Valencia is normal, with a lead time of around 5-7 days required for delivery of all fuel grades, a trader said.

Bunker availability has improved off Malta in the last week as suppliers have overcome loading delays faced last week, a trader said. Most suppliers can deliver any fuel grades on a prompt basis, the trader added. Rough winds of more than 30 knots are forecast in the area on Thursday.

Fuel demand is good in Turkey’s Istanbul and there is ample product availability with suppliers able to deliver within 1-3 days, a local supplier told ENGINE.

In the Black Sea, LSMGO availability has improved since the last week in the Romanian ports of Constantza, Midia and Mangalia. 1-3 days of lead time are requested, a local supplier told ENGINE.

Africa

Bunker demand remains healthy in Togo’s Lome, but around 10 days of lead time is required for VLSFO and LSMGO offers, a trader said.  

In Nigeria’s Lagos, a supplier can deliver VLSFO with a lead time of 5-10 days, a local supplier said.

In Angola’s Luanda, a supplier said it is expecting VLSFO replenishments by mid-May, while LSMGO supplies are available with a notice of around 3-4 days.

Suppliers are requesting longer lead times of around 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, VLSFO supplies need a notice of around a week, a trader said.

In Mauritius’ Port Louis, fuel availability has improved and buyers are advised to enquire about supplies there with a lead time of around 10 days for all fuel grades, according to a trader.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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