ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook<\/p>\n
Bunker availability is normal in the ARA hub, a trader said. Buyers are asked to enquire about stems around five days in advance to get good offers from a wide selection of suppliers.<\/p>\n
The ARA\u2019s independently held fuel oil stocks have fallen by 17% in April so far, according to Insights Global data.<\/p>\n
At 4.31 million barrels, the region\u2019s fuel oil stocks are below their five-year average.<\/p>\n
The ARA hub has imported 241,000 b\/d of fuel oil in April thus far, up from March\u2019s 207,000 b\/d, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. Most supplies have arrived from Venezuela (18%), Sweden (17%) and Mexico (12%).<\/p>\n
The region\u2019s independent gasoil inventories \u2013 which include diesel and heating oil \u2013 have decreased by 6% this month, compared to March. The ARA hub has imported 179,000 b\/d of gasoil in April so far, a significant decrease from 291,000 b\/d in March, Vortexa data showed.<\/p>\n
Saudi Arabia has emerged as the top source of gasoil and diesel imports, accounting for 24% of total imports. Cargoes have also arrived from Qatar (18%) and the US (17%).<\/p>\n
In Germany\u2019s Hamburg, fuel availability remains stable for all fuel graders, and a notice of five days remains sufficient to get deliveries of any grade, a trader told ENGINE.<\/p>\n
Bunker availability is good off Denmark\u2019 Skaw and in Sweden\u2019s Gothenburg, but suppliers require a lead time of around 10 days to arrange deliveries of any fuel grade, a trader said.<\/p>\n
Availability is a bit tight for all fuel grades at the Gibraltar Strait ports, and suppliers need around 7-10 days of lead time to arrange deliveries, according to a trader.<\/p>\n
Bunker demand remains healthy in the Gibraltar Strait, with around 43 vessels expected to call for bunkers between 22-30 April, shipping agent A Mateos & Sons said.<\/p>\n
Around 12 vessels were waiting in the port for bunkers as of Wednesday morning due to unavailability of space or barges, the shipping agent said.<\/p>\n
Fuel availability in Las Palmas is tight for prompt dates, with buyers advised to book stems around 7-10 days ahead on average, a trader said.<\/p>\n
Weather conditions are better in Las Palmas compared to last week. Deliveries are being carried out in the Outer anchorage currently, port agent MH Bland said.<\/p>\n
In Lisbon, supplies of all fuel grades can be secured with a lead time of around 3-5 days, a source told ENGINE.<\/p>\n
Bunker availability is tight off Malta for delivery dates before 28 April, a trader said. Loading delays have complicated bunkering in the area, the trader added.<\/p>\n
In Greece\u2019s Piraeus, around 5-7 days of lead time are advised, a trader said.<\/p>\n
Fuel availability and demand remains stable in T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s Istanbul, a local supplier told ENGINE. Deliveries of all fuel grades are available promptly within a day, a trader added.<\/p>\n
In the Black Sea, LSMGO supplies in the Romanian ports of Constantza, Midia and Mangalia are tight at the moment, but some suppliers are offering deliveries, a local supplier told ENGINE.<\/p>\n
Bunker demand remains healthy in Togo\u2019s Lome, but around 5-7 days of lead time is required for VLSFO and LSMGO offers, a trader said.<\/p>\n
In Nigeria\u2019s Lagos, around seven days is requested for VLSFO supplies, a local supplier said.<\/p>\n
In Angola\u2019s Luanda, a supplier said they are still awaiting replenishments for VLSFO, while LSMGO availability remains stable.<\/p>\n
Some suppliers off Namibia\u2019s Walvis Bay are offering deliveries of VLSFO and LSMGO with around 5-7 days of lead time, a trader said.<\/p>\n
In South Africa\u2019s Durban, bunker availability is stable and HSFO and VLSFO deliveries are possible with a lead time of around 5-7 days, a trader said.<\/p>\n
In Mauritius\u2019 Port Louis, fuel availability is slowly improving but buyers are still advised to enquire about supplies there with a lead time of minimum 10 days for all fuel grades, according to a trader.<\/p>\n
In the Mozambican port of Nacala and Maputo, VLSFO supplies need a notice of around a week, a trader said.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.engine.online\/news<\/p>\n
hellenicshippingnews…<\/p>\n