Lome, Walvis Bay and Port Louis need longer bunker lead times

Prompt marine fuel is hard to find at short notice across several African ports that matter for West Africa and Indian Ocean calls, according to ENGINE's Europe and Africa fuel availability outlook of 4 November.

At Lome and Walvis Bay, traders advise roughly 5-7 days for VLSFO and LSMGO. Nacala and Maputo face a similar squeeze on prompt dates, with about a week recommended for most stems. Port Louis is tighter still: buyers should allow 10-14 days if they want to lock in fuel.

Timing elsewhere is mixed. Dakar has VLSFO and LSMGO available from 14 November. Lagos anchorage needs around 10 days for VLSFO. Luanda still has no VLSFO, though LSMGO can be arranged with about 5-6 days' notice. Durban VLSFO has improved. By contrast, Djibouti's Red Sea ports can cover VLSFO and LSMGO at short notice.

For a buyer with Africa or Indian Ocean calls in the next fortnight, send the enquiry early for Lome, Walvis Bay, Port Louis, Nacala or Maputo, and keep Djibouti in mind if the schedule can flex that way.