East of Suez Bunker Availability Overview

Bunker fuel availability in East of Suez ports presents a mixed picture, with some regions experiencing improved supply conditions while others face ongoing constraints. Lead times for various fuel grades are subject to regional dynamics and operational factors.

In Japan, bunker availability has shown improvement for September. Major refineries have adjusted ex-wharf supply restrictions and monthly allocations to suppliers, enhancing cargo security. This positive trend is observed across most of the country, though some tightness persists in Western Japan. Lead times for VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO generally range from 7-12 days in key ports such as Tokyo, Chiba, Kawasaki, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Osaka, Kobe, Mizushima, Tokuyama, and Oita.

Conversely, Singapore’s VLSFO market has experienced some tightening, with lead times extending to approximately 9-16 days. HSFO availability has also become more constrained, with lead times now between 8-16 days. LSMGO lead times show wider variation, from 2-11 days. This situation is partly attributed to reduced supplier availability and challenges with blending components. Fuel oil inventories in Singapore have also seen a reduction, with residual fuel oil stocks averaging below previous month levels, and net fuel oil imports decreasing.

Supply conditions in China remain uneven. Zhoushan continues to experience tight supply across VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO, with lead times around ten days. This follows operational suspensions due to weather events, which created delivery backlogs. While operations have resumed at some anchorages, a full return to capacity is pending. Other Chinese ports like Dalian and Qingdao report adequate VLSFO and LSMGO, though HSFO remains tight in Qingdao. Tianjin faces constraints across all major grades, and Shanghai has limited VLSFO and HSFO availability.

In South Korea, bunker demand has softened, and weather-related disruptions have affected availability at several southern ports, including Busan, Ulsan, Masan, Onsan, Yeosu, and Kwangyang. Lead times for VLSFO, LSMGO, and HSFO have widened to 9-18 days across both southern and western ports. Further weather impacts are anticipated in early September for some locations. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s bunker market remains comparatively well supplied, with VLSFO and LSMGO deliverable within 2-4 days in most ports.

Oceania also shows varied conditions. Western Australia's Kwinana and Fremantle maintain steady VLSFO availability with around seven-day lead times. Along the east coast, Port Kembla and Sydney have adequate VLSFO and LSMGO, though HSFO is tighter in Sydney. Brisbane and Gladstone report ready availability of VLSFO and LSMGO. Melbourne and Geelong have comfortable VLSFO stocks, but HSFO supply has tightened in both Melbourne and Brisbane. A supplier in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne offers all three major grades with lead times of approximately five days.