Singapore
A source says that demand has been “quiet” in Singapore so far this week. VLSFO and HSFO availability has improved in the port, with lead times coming down sharply from last week’s nearly two weeks to 7-10 days now.
LSMGO availability remains steady, with unchanged lead times of 2-4 days.
Residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 3% higher so far in June than in May, according to Enterprise Singapore. Singapore’s net fuel oil imports have declined 12% so far this month. Both fuel oil imports and exports have declined by 12-13% this month.
Singapore’s middle distillate stocks have also averaged 10% higher so far this month than in May.
East Asia
Bunker demand remains weak in Zhoushan as it has been in recent weeks, a source says. VLSFO availability has improved in the Chinese bunkering hub, with lead times of 3-5 days – down from 5-7 days last week. Recommended lead times of VLSFO and HSFO are 3-5 days – virtually unchanged from last week.
However, bunker deliveries remain suspended at Zhoushan’s Tiaozhoumen and Xiazhimen anchorages since Monday due to bad weather, a source says. Meanwhile, bunkering was running smoothly at Zhoushan’s slightly more sheltered Xiushandong anchorage and at the port’s inner anchorage of Mazhi on Tuesday.
Bunkering is likely to fully resume from Wednesday morning, when calmer weather is forecast.
VLSFO and HSFO availability has improved in Hong Kong, with lead times coming down from 7-10 days last week to around seven days now. Lead times for LSMGO, on the other hand, have increased from 3-5 days last week to seven days now.
Prompt VLSFO availability remains tight in southern South Korean ports as most suppliers are running low on stocks. A lead time of 7-9 days is recommended in southern ports. Meanwhile, availability remains good for the grade in western South Korean ports, with lead times of 3-4 days – almost unchanged from last week.
A source says that HSFO is more readily available in South Korean ports, with a shorter lead time of 3-4 days. LSMGO is also readily available in the country.
Rough weather conditions are forecast in South Korean ports of Yeosu and Busan between 16-18 June, which could disrupt bunker deliveries.
The Thai ports of Koh Sichang and Leam Chabang are forecast to experience adverse weather conditions between 18-20 June, the Kiwi port of Tauranga between 19-20 June, and the Vietnamese port of Ho Chi Minh between 19-20 June, which might hamper bunker operations.
South Asia
VLSFO and LSMGO grades can be delivered with around 2-3 days of lead time in India’s southern ports of Cochin and Chennai.
Availability of both grades remains relatively tight in the Indian ports of Mumbai, Visakhapatnam and Paradip and delivery dates are subject to availability, a source says. On the other hand, supply in Tuticorin port on the southeast coast and Haldia on the east coast remains subject to enquiry.
All port operations on the Indian west coast ports including Kandla, Okha, Bedi, Navlakhi, Vadinar, Sikka, Mundra and Jakhau have been suspended as cyclone Biparjoy approaches.
Rough weather conditions are forecast in Visakhapatnam between 14-15 June, which may disrupt bunker operations.
The Sri Lankan ports of Colombo, Trincomalee and Hambantota have good availability of VLSFO and LSMGO. However, deliveries in Colombo and Hambantota are “slow because of bad weather,” while prompt dates supply is available in Trincomalee, a source says.
Middle East
A slowdown in demand has boosted the availability of all grades in Fujairah, a source says. Lead times of VLSFO and LSMGO are around three days now – down from 5-7 days last week. HSFO availability is also good, with a slightly longer lead time of around five days advised.
The Omani ports of Duqm, Sohar, Salalah and Muscat have good availability of LSMGO, with prompt supply available.
Source: Hellenic Shipping News
