Singapore and Malaysia
Bunker fuel availability remains tight in Singapore, with delayed cargo arrivals and congestion at loading terminals continuing to constrain supply, a source said.
VLSFO lead times are currently around 13-15 days. Last week, suppliers recommended lead times ranging from around 13 days at the earliest to more than three weeks. HSFO lead times have also settled at 13-15 days, compared with a range of around 13 days to as long as three weeks previously. LSMGO lead times have eased slightly to 8-10 days from 9-11 days last week.
In Malaysia, bunker supply remains constrained across several fuel grades at Port Klang. Prompt VLSFO availability is particularly tight, while LSMGO supplies remain limited and HSFO availability continues to face pressure.
East Asia
VLSFO and HSFO availability remains tight in Zhoushan, despite subdued demand. Lead times for both grades have increased to around 15 days, from 12 days last week. Low inventories and adverse weather have restricted supply, while customs formalities have further delayed delivery schedules, a source said.
In contrast, LSMGO availability in Zhoushan is good, with lead times falling to two days from four days a week earlier.
Supply conditions remain uneven across other Chinese ports. Dalian and Qingdao have sufficient VLSFO and LSMGO stocks, although HSFO availability remains tight in Qingdao. Tianjin is facing shortages across all three major fuel grades, while supplies of VLSFO and HSFO remain limited in Shanghai. LSMGO availability in Shanghai is relatively stable.
Supply constraints also persist in southern China. Suppliers in Fuzhou, Xiamen, Yangpu and Guangzhou are reporting shortages of VLSFO and LSMGO.
Hong Kong’s bunker market remains stable, with suppliers recommending lead times of around seven days for the major fuel grades.
In Taiwan, VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries can be arranged within two days at Keelung, Hualien, Kaohsiung and Taichung, largely unchanged from the previous week.
Bunker demand has picked up across South Korea as declining Brent futures have brought benchmark prices lower. Busan’s VLSFO price has dropped by around $80/mt since the end of October to approximately $1,390/mt, according to a South Korean trader.
At southern ports, including Busan, Ulsan, Masan, Onsan, Yeosu and Kwangyang, lead times for all major fuel grades are currently around 4-9 days, compared with 5-8 days a week earlier. Availability has also improved at western ports, including Incheon, Daesan, Dangjin, Pyeongtaek and Taean. Lead times for VLSFO, LSMGO and HSFO at these ports have fallen to 4-9 days from 5-8 days previously.
However, adverse weather could disrupt bunker operations at several South Korean ports in the coming days. Busan and Ulsan may experience interruptions on 6-7 November, while operations at Yeosu and Daesan could be affected between 5 and 7 November.
VLSFO and HSFO availability remains severely constrained at several Japanese ports, including Tokyo, Chiba and Kawasaki, where suppliers recommend lead times of around 9-13 days. Supplies of both grades are also tight in Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Osaka, Kobe, Mizushima, Tokuyama and Oita. Most offers at these ports are subject to enquiry.
Kashima is also experiencing tight availability of VLSFO and HSFO.
