- Singapore VLSFO availability remains tight
- Supply improves gradually in Zhoushan
- Fujairah fuel oil stocks drawn amid limited cargo inflows
VLSFO bunker supply remains tight in Singapore due to an ongoing shortage of blends, and with lead times standing at 9-11 days out. Similarly, HSFO380 stems require up to 12 days ahead in the port, while LSMGO availability is better in the bunkering hub with a shorter recommended lead time of just 1-2 days, says an article published in ManifoldTimes.
Fuel inventories and imports
Residual fuel oil
Singapore’s residual fuel oil inventories have grown to 22.34 million bbls on the week, amid a steady inflow of imports in the first two weeks of the year.
Fuel oil imports
Fuel oil imports have hovered around 7 million bbls per week in January and averaged 40% higher than in December, according to the latest Enterprise Singapore data.
Despite a rise in the most recent week, exports into Singapore have dropped by 30% between November and December, resulting in an 87% jump in net imports and boosting stock levels.
Bunker fuel availability
At the same time, bunker fuel availability has gone back to normal in Zhoushan after weather-related suspensions last week.
There is not too much backlog, a source said, adding that lead times for HSFO380 are up to four days, while VLSFO and LSMGO grades are available with one day of lead time from certain suppliers.One supplier is expected to receive new VLSFO cargo to replenish stocks by 27-28 January.
Fujairah oil industry
Lead times in Fujairah are steady on the week, with HSFO requiring 10 days ahead now, while VLSFO and LSMGO are more readily available at eight days out. Limited fuel oil cargo fuel oil flows into Fujairah have capped availability in the bunker market, sources say.
Fujairah’s heavy distillate and fuel oil inventories fell by 9% to a three-week low of 9.18 million bbls last week, according to Fujairah Oil Industry Zone and S&P Global Platts data.
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Source: ManifoldTimes
