Singapore VLSO bunker fuel lead times hold at 10-15 days, per Hellenic Shipping News
Singapore bunker market lead times for very low sulfur fuel oil hold at around 10 to 15 days, according to Hellenic Shipping News, even as regional supplies face pressure from Middle East conflicts and low stocks.
Middle East Conflict Strains Singapore Bunker Fuel Stocks
Singapore’s bunker market remains tight despite average demand, with suppliers operating on low stocks. Delays in cargo arrivals stemming from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East have further strained availability, while a scarcity of essential blending components and reduced regional refinery output have impacted the area. Recommended lead times for very low sulfur fuel oil hold at around 10 to 15 days, or 12 to 15 days according to Sailrnetwork. High sulfur fuel oil lead times are advised at 10 to 15 days, while low sulfur marine gas oil lead times have edged up to 5 to 7 days. At Port Klang in Malaysia, bunker availability remains constrained across several grades, with prompt very low sulfur fuel oil, low sulfur marine gas oil, and high sulfur fuel oil all facing limited supplies and pressure.
East Asia Regional Variations
Bunker fuel availability remains tight in Zhoushan despite muted demand and low stock levels, with very low sulfur fuel oil lead times at around 12 days, low sulfur marine gas oil at 12 days, and high sulfur fuel oil at about 15 days. Other Chinese ports show mixed conditions; Dalian and Qingdao have sufficient stocks of very low sulfur fuel oil and low sulfur marine gas oil, though high sulfur fuel oil remains tight in Qingdao. Tianjin faces tight supplies across all three major grades, while Shanghai has limited availability for very low sulfur and high sulfur fuel oils alongside stable low sulfur marine gas oil supplies. Southern Chinese ports including Fuzhou, Xiamen, Yangpu, and Guangzhou also experience restrictions and shortages. South Korea has seen improved availability and reduced lead times of 4 to 6 days due to muted demand from public holidays, though adverse weather threatens disruptions in ports such as Busan, Ulsan, Yeosu, and Daesan. Japan remains particularly constrained as ongoing refinery maintenance and domestic power generation priorities reduce bonded bunker allocations, leaving virtually no spot availability for high sulfur and very low sulfur fuel oils.
Unresolved Market Questions
It remains unclear how long the Middle East conflict will continue to delay cargo arrivals, and whether upcoming weather disruptions in South Korea will severely impact bunker operations in the days ahead.