Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook 7 Jan

ARA deliveries carry RED III premiums

Rough weather delays East Mediterranean bunkering

HSFO availability improves in Durban

IMAGE: The Europoort area in the Port of Rotterdam. Getty Images

Northwest Europe

VLSFO availability in the ARA bunkering hub is tight for prompt supplies, with buyers recommended to book stems with a lead time of eight days to get good coverage from suppliers, a trader said. LSMGO and HSFO availability is now normal, with supplies available promptly with a notice of 2-4 days, the trader added.

This compares with last week, when most fuel grades required lead times of around 5-7 days.

Since 1 January, bunker fuels delivered in Dutch ports have been brought under the Netherlands’ regulatory framework implementing the EU's third Renewable Energy Directive (RED III). As a result, bunker prices in Dutch ports have begun to reflect compliance-related premiums, as suppliers pass on associated costs for conventional fossil fuel grades.

Additionally, the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp now require all bunker deliveries to be made by certified mass flow meter (MFM)-equipped barges. Several bunker suppliers have cited MFM investment costs as reasons for adding surcharges to their fuels.

Independently held fuel oil stocks in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) refining, storage and bunkering hub gained 2% in December, according to Insights Global data.

The region’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil – fell 9% lower in December, according to the Insights Global data.

In Germany’s Hamburg, a notice of 3-5 days is enough for delivery of all fuel grades, a trader told ENGINE.

In Sweden’s Gothenburg and off Denmark’s Skaw, a lead time of at least 10 days is recommended for deliveries of all fuel grades, another trader said.

Mediterranean

Getting prompt fuel deliveries remains challenging in Gibraltar Strait ports, with buyers recommended to book around 5-7 days ahead to get competitive offers from a wide selection of suppliers, a trader said.

There are nine vessels currently waiting for bunkers in Gibraltar. Some suppliers have been running around 6-10 hours behind schedule, while others can be delayed by more than a day, port agent MH Bland said.

Suppliers in neighbouring Algeciras have been delayed by around 6-12 hours, MH Bland added.

Fuel supplies in Spain’s Barcelona can need around 5-7 days of notice for all grades, a trader said.

Bunker fuel availability in Las Palmas is now improving. Most suppliers require around 7-10 days of lead time for all fuel grades, compared to last week when VLSFO supplies needed a notice of more than two weeks, a trader told ENGINE.

Rough waves of more than 2 metres have suspended operations at Las Palmas' outer anchorage. Deliveries can still be carried out at the inner anchorage and at berth, but with some delays, MH Bland said.

The weather is also affecting bunkering at locations across the East Mediterranean region.

Bunker demand remains normal off Malta, but supplies are being disrupted by rough westerly winds of more than 25 knots and waves exceeding 3 metres. Conditions are forecast to be rough intermittently until Sunday.

Operations are currently limited to Malta's Bunkering Area 1, where there is a backlog of vessels waiting for fuel. Most suppliers recommend lead times of around five days for all fuel deliveries, a trader said.

In Greece’s Piraeus, rough winds are disrupting bunkering operations, leading to congestion. Buyers are recommended to book stems with a 3-4-day notice, a trader said.

Rough weather is forecast in Türkiye's Istanbul on Thursday and is expected to cause bunker delays, a local fuel supplier said.  

Africa

In the Senegalese port of Dakar, one supplier said it can deliver VLSFO stems with a 3-5-day notice, while LSMGO supplies are tight.

In Togo’s Lome and off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, HSFO availability is very tight, while LSMGO and VLSFO deliveries can be arranged with around 5-7 days of lead time, a trader said.

In Sao Tome & Principe, LSMGO remains easily available at the container port in Sao Tome, as well as at the country’s Neves deep-water bunkering terminal, a local supplier told ENGINE.

In South Africa’s Durban and Richards Bay, both HSFO and VLSFO suppliers are available easily with a 2-4-day notice, compared to last week when HSFO supplies required a longer lead time of around a week, a trader said.

Rough winds of more than 25 knots are expected in Durban between 8-9 January, and the Transnet National Port Authority has issued an alert.

HSFO availability remains very tight in Mauritius’ Port Louis. Buyers are advised to book almost two weeks ahead, a trader said. VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are relatively quicker to source, requiring around a week of notice each, the trader added.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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