The outlook for bunker fuel availability in the East of Suez region shows diverse conditions across various ports. In Singapore, the supply of Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) is experiencing lead times of 6-18 days, a marked increase from the previous week’s 8-12 days. High Sulfur Fuel Oil (HSFO) is also seeing extended lead times of 7-11 days, up from 5-9 days. Meanwhile, Low Sulfur Marine Gas Oil (LSMGO) maintains steady availability with consistent lead times of 6-8 days.
Notably, Singapore’s residual fuel oil inventories have surged, averaging 17% higher in April compared to March, with imports significantly outpacing exports. In Malaysia, particularly at Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO are available for prompt delivery while HSFO faces limited availability. In East Asia, Zhoushan reports longer lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO at 5-7 days; however, HSFO supply is substantially tighter. Adverse weather has temporarily suspended bunker deliveries in some areas, though operations are resuming at sheltered locations.
Further north, ports like Dalian and Qingdao show healthy stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, whereas Tianjin experiences tight supply. In Hong Kong, all fuel grades have steady lead times around seven days, but weather disruptions are forecasted for late April. Taiwan’s fuel supply remains stable across its major ports. Oceania exhibits strong availability, especially in Western Australia, while New Zealand may experience intermittent weather-related disruptions.
In South Asia, adverse conditions are projected to affect bunker deliveries in multiple locations. In the Middle East, availability remains tight for VLSFO in Fujairah, with concerns regarding supply disruptions in Djibouti and Egypt due to poor weather. Overall, various regions face unique challenges, but some supplies remain robust amidst fluctuations in demand and conditions.