Singapore's residual fuel oil stocks in August remained broadly unchanged from July, according to data from Enterprise Singapore, the government agency that publishes the city-state's monthly oil inventory statistics.

The changes in monthly average Singapore stocks from July to August were as follows:

• Residual fuel oil stocks rose by 10,000 barrels to 18.99 million barrels.
• Middle distillate stocks fell by 470,000 barrels to 8.19 million barrels.

Singapore's fuel oil inventories remained just below 19 million barrels in August. Middle distillate inventories, meanwhile, declined, averaging 5% below the previous month's level.

Bunker supply conditions in Singapore remain tight, with very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) lead times of 9-16 days amid reduced availability and a shortage of blending components. Longer lead times typically mean ships need to book fuel further in advance, which can add scheduling friction for operators calling at the port.

High sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) supply has also tightened, with lead times extending to 8-16 days from 6-12 days previously. HSFO demand has been supported in recent years by the growth of scrubber-fitted vessels, which use exhaust gas cleaning systems to burn cheaper high-sulphur fuel within IMO sulphur limits. Low sulphur marine gas oil (LSMGO) lead times have widened to 2-11 days, compared with 4-9 days a week earlier.

Singapore is one of the world's largest bunkering hubs, and its inventory and supply data are closely watched as an indicator of conditions in the global marine fuels market. The tightness comes as the shipping industry also continues to adapt to International Maritime Organization fuel regulations and, in 2025, the net-zero greenhouse gas framework that entered into force in November 2024, adding longer-term pressure on marine fuel demand and sourcing strategies.

Source: By Tuhin Roy, ENGINE,