High bunker demand extends waiting times in Durban

Some ships calling for bunkers in the South African port of Durban are experiencing delays in berthing because of increased vessel traffic from the Red Sea diversions, sources say.

PHOTO: Durban port at sunrise. Getty Images

A tanker vessel that arrived for bunkers on Saturday was able to secure berthing space on Monday, resulting in a 48-hour delay, shipping agent Trade Ocean said. The delay in berthing allocation was due to congestion at tanker berths, which are the only berths authorised by the port for tanker bunkering, it added.

Simone Piredda, trading manager at Monjasa, also confirmed that South African ports have been witnessing increased waiting times for supplies due to higher bunker demand.

Namibia’s Walvis Bay, which has witnessed high bunker demand due to the Red Sea conflict, is not currently facing any bunker backlogs. 

Monjasa has been among the most active physical supplier off Walvis Bay in the past two months, as per the data from fuel testing labs that ENGINE has access to. Other active players have been Oryx Energies, TFG Marine and Bunker One.

According to Piredda, Namibia’s Walvis Bay continues to witness high bunker demand compared to the same period last year. Despite more ships arriving for bunkers, the average waiting time for bunkering has not increased, Piredda added.

By Manjula Nair

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