• Steady availability of all grades in the ARA
• LSMGO prompt supply normal in Istanbul and off Malta
• Seven-day lead time for VLSFO and LSMGO in Luanda
Northwest Europe
VLSFO, HSFO and LSMGO fuel grades remain easily available in the ARA bunkering hub, but buyers are advised to enquire about stems with 5-7 days of lead time to get offers from a good selection of suppliers, a trader told ENGINE.
Independently held fuel oil stocks in the ARA bunkering hub have risen by 2% in August so far, according to Insights Global data. The fuel oil stocks are up from 2025’s lowest monthly average recorded in July.
The region has imported 257,000 b/d of fuel oil in August so far, which is significantly higher than the 192,000 b/d imported in July, according to cargo tracker Vortexa. The Bahamas (24%) was the top import source, followed by Germany (15%) and Lithuania (13%).
The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have declined by 2% in August from July.
The ARA hub has imported 194,000 b/d of gasoil so far this month, slightly higher than the 185,000 b/d imported in July, according to Vortexa data. Saudi Arabia has been the top supplier (35%), followed by the US (23%) and Russia (14%).
In Sweden’s Gothenburg and off Denmark’s Skaw, availability is still tight with buyers advised to book 10 days ahead of delivery for all grades, a trader said.
Supply is stable in Germany’s Hamburg, with notice of 3-5 days sufficient for delivery of all grades, another trader said.
Mediterranean
In Gibraltar Strait ports, availability is tight for immediate supplies of all grades, with lead time of 8-10 days required for HSFO and 5-7 days for VLSFO and LSMGO each, a trader said.
There was only one vessel awaiting bunkers in Gibraltar on Wednesday, and all suppliers were running on schedule, according to port agent MH Bland. Around 40 vessels are expected to call at the port for bunkers between 20-27 August, according to shipping agent A. Mateos & Sons.
Some suppliers are running between 2-8 hours behind schedule in Algeciras, compared to last week, when some suppliers were running 12 hours behind schedule, port agent MH Bland said.
One supplier is 4-6 hours behind schedule at the Ceuta anchorage, port agent MH Bland added.
Lead times of 10 days is required in Las Palmas for all fuel grades, and seven days in Barcelona, a trader said.
Supplies remain normal in Portugal’s Lisbon, according to a source.
LSMGO supply has now stabilised off Malta and in Turkey’s Istanbul. VLSFO and HSFO availability remains normal in both ports, with lead time of not more than five days required for delivery of any grade, a trader said. A local supplier in Istanbul said a notice of two days is sufficient for all grades at the port.
VLSFO supply in Greece’s Piraeus remains subject to firm enquiry, while availability of ULSFO, HSFO and LSMGO is normal, a trader said. Booking 1-5 days ahead of delivery is advised to get good coverage from suppliers.
Africa
In Togo’s Lome, stems should be fixed with a 10-day lead time because availability is tight for prompter dates with several suppliers, a trader said.
Increased wave periods of more than 15 seconds are forecast between 26-27 August, and could make it difficult for ships to bunker there.
VLSFO and LSMGO supplies are now available at Angola’s Luanda anchorage, but with a seven-day lead time, a trader informed.
Off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, a supplier is only offering HSFO availability on firm enquiry. VLSFO and LSMGO supplies remain available. Buyers are advised to book 5-7 days ahead of delivery.
Waves of more than 2.5 meters height are forecast between 22-26 August and could delay supply.
Lead times of 2-4 days are enough for VLSFO and HSFO supplies in South Africa’s Durban, while LSMGO is still unavailable, a trader said. Wind gusts of more than 25 knots and waves around 2.5 metres are forecast at the port on 27 August, which could complicate bunkering operations.
VLSFO supply is normal in nearby Richard’s Bay.
VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Mozambique’s Maputo, a source told ENGINE. In Nacala, the country’s other key bunker location, VLSFO availability is tight, while HSFO and LSMGO are readily available, the source added.
In Port Louis in Mauritius, HSFO deliveries could take around two weeks from enquiry, while 10 days of notice is required for VLSFO and LSMGO, a trader said.
Source: ENGINE, By Nachiket Tekawade
