ENGINE: Europe and Africa Fuel Availability Outlook

International Shipping News, 03/09/2026

Northwest Europe

Fuel availability is tight in the ARA for prompt delivery dates, with buyers advised to allow lead times of 5-7 days for deliveries of HSFO, VLSFO, ULSFO and LSMGO fuel grades, a trader said. The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 15% higher in August so far compared with July’s monthly average, according to Insights Global data, while the stronger inflow of fuel oil has come alongside a modest decline in gasoil inventories, underscoring the mixed picture across marine fuel components in the hub.

The ARA hub has imported around 344,000 b/d of fuel oil in August so far, more than double July’s monthly average of around 159,000 b/d, according to Vortexa cargo flows data. The largest volumes arrived from Benin (20%), Venezuela (15%) and Mexico (8%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories, which include diesel and heating oil, have dropped by 1% in August so far compared with July, according to Insights Global data. The region has imported around 156,000 b/d of gasoil in August so far, up from an average of around 119,000 b/d imported in July, according to Vortexa data. Most shipments arrived from the US (36%), Sweden (12%) and the UK (10%).

Bunker fuel availability is stable in Germany’s Hamburg port, a trader told ENGINE. Buyers are recommended to give five days’ notice for delivery of any fuel grade.

Fuel availability is tight off Denmark’s Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, with buyers advised to allow lead times of 10-14 days for deliveries of any fuel grade, a trader said.

Mediterranean

Bunker availability is tight for prompt dates at ports in the Strait of Gibraltar, with buyers advised to seek delivery dates about 10-12 days out to secure good coverage, a trader told ENGINE. Suppliers in Gibraltar are running 4-12 hours behind schedule on deliveries, according to port agent MH Bland. In Algeciras, suppliers are running 6-24 hours behind schedule, the port agent added. In Spain’s Ceuta, some barge deliveries could be delayed by 6-8 hours, MH Bland said.

In Barcelona, buyers should book supplies at least a week before deliveries, a trader told ENGINE. Prompt fuel availability is tight in Las Palmas, with buyers recommended to allow around 10-12 days, a trader said.

VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries off Malta require 3-4 days of notice, while ULSFO deliveries require six days of lead time, according to a trader. Some suppliers are also offering prompt deliveries, the trader added.

Fuel availability is tight in Greece’s Piraeus for prompt supplies because of increased demand from cruise vessels. Buyers are recommended to allow seven days of lead time for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO, while ULSFO supplies need five days’ notice, a trader said.

Prompt fuel availability is adequate in Turkey’s Istanbul for most marine fuels, a local supplier told ENGINE. LSMGO and ULSFO deliveries need 1-3 days of notice, while VLSFO requires 2-4 days, a trader said. HSFO availability is slightly tight for prompt supplies in Istanbul, with buyers advised to allow 4-7 days of lead time, the trader added.

Africa

In Togo’s Lome and off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, fuel availability is tight for prompt supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO, with buyers recommended to give a week’s notice for both fuel grades.

VLSFO is not available in Angola’s Luanda, a supplier told ENGINE. LSMGO availability is comparatively stable, and 3-4 days’ notice is sufficient for deliveries of that fuel grade, the supplier added.

In Nigeria’s Lagos anchorage, prompt fuel supplies are tight, and buyers are advised to allow 5-10 days, a local supplier said.

In South Africa’s Durban, prompt fuel supplies of all three grades are tight, a trader said. Buyers are advised to give a week’s notice for any fuel grade.

Bunker availability is tight in Port Louis, with suppliers requiring around 10-14 days’ notice, a trader said.

In the Mozambican ports of Nacala and Maputo, VLSFO supplies are tight and require lead times of a week, a trader told ENGINE.

*Source: By Nachiket Tekawade, ENGINE,