Singapore VLSFO notice stretches to 12-15 days as all grades run tight

Bunker availability in Singapore is now very tight across all grades, according to the latest ENGINE East of Suez outlook. Suppliers are asking for 12-15 days notice on VLSFO, and HSFO is expected to stay tight into November.

China is uneven. Shanghai and Ningbo need about 11 days for all grades, and Zhoushan also sits near 11 days while weather disrupts its outer anchorages. Qingdao, Tianjin and Xiamen are quicker, needing about 4-5 days for all three main grades. Nansha offers a similar window for VLSFO and LSMGO.

In the Middle East, VLSFO and LSMGO are tight in Fujairah and in Oman's Duqm, where HSFO is also limited. Further west, stocks at Port Suez have dropped to critically low levels for all three main grades, and Djibouti has limited VLSFO and LSMGO.

For a buyer, this means:

• Singapore stems need roughly two weeks of lead time, longer than usual.
• If the schedule allows, a northern China port like Qingdao or Tianjin can be faster than Shanghai or Ningbo.
• Ships routing via the Red Sea should not count on Port Suez and should check Djibouti early.