Asian Bunker Supply Conditions Diverge: VLSFO Deliveries in Singapore and Zhoushan Require Up to 15 Days’ Notice

Bunker supply conditions across major Asian ports have diverged in recent weeks. VLSFO and HSFO deliveries in Singapore and Zhoushan are taking longer to arrange, spot availability remains limited at several Japanese ports, while supply in South Korea is generally more flexible, although weather may disrupt operations at some locations. For dry bulk vessels trading across East and Southeast Asia, fuel grades, bunkering ports and ordering lead times all need to be planned in advance.

According to data published by the marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE on 3 November, the recommended lead time for bunker orders varies by port and fuel grade, ranging from approximately two to 15 days.

亚洲主要加油港近期供应情况出现差异：新加坡、舟山VLSFO和HSFO交付周期较长，日本多个港口现货供应有限，韩国整体供应相对宽松，但部分港口可能受到天气影响。对于航经东亚、东南亚的散货船，燃油品种、加油港和订油时间都需要提前安排。

根据船舶燃油采购平台ENGINE 11月3日发布的数据，各港口不同燃油品种的建议采购提前期约为2–15天。

Tight Supply in Singapore and Zhoushan

新加坡、舟山供应偏紧

Singapore is experiencing longer bunker delivery lead times due to delayed cargo arrivals and congestion at loading terminals. As of 3 November, ENGINE recommends placing VLSFO and HSFO orders 13–15 days in advance, while LSMGO requires around 8–10 days. Supply has improved compared with the previous week, but the main fuel grades still require considerable advance planning.

新加坡（Singapore）近期燃油供应受到货物到港延迟和装货码头拥堵影响，VLSFO、HSFO交付周期有所拉长。截至11月3日，新加坡VLSFO和HSFO建议提前13–15天订购，LSMGO约需8–10天。相比前一周，供应有所改善，但主要燃油品种仍需较长准备时间。

VLSFO and HSFO supply in Zhoushan is also tight, with the recommended lead time extended to around 15 days from approximately 12 days the previous week. Low inventories, weather disruptions and delays in customs procedures have all affected deliveries. LSMGO availability is relatively good, with around two days' notice recommended.

舟山（Zhoushan）VLSFO和HSFO供应同样偏紧，建议提前期已由前一周的约12天延长至15天。库存偏低、天气影响及海关手续延迟，均对燃油交付造成影响。LSMGO供应相对充足，建议提前约2天安排。

Vessels planning to bunker VLSFO or HSFO in either port should contact suppliers early to confirm stock levels, available quantities and delivery windows. This can help avoid delays or the possibility of being unable to bunker as planned after arrival.

计划在两港补充VLSFO或HSFO的船舶，建议尽早向供应商确认库存、可供数量及交付窗口，避免抵港后无法按计划加油。

South Korea Has More Flexible Supply, While Japanese Ports Face Spot Shortages

韩国供应相对宽松，日本多个港口现货紧张

Bunker supply at major South Korean ports is relatively comfortable. At Busan, Ulsan, Yeosu, Incheon and Daesan, recommended lead times for the main fuel grades are generally around four to nine days.

ENGINE expects weather conditions between 5 and 7 November to affect some bunkering operations at Busan, Ulsan, Yeosu and Daesan. Vessels planning to bunker at these ports should confirm barge availability and delivery schedules in advance.

韩国主要加油港的供应相对宽松，釜山（Busan）、蔚山（Ulsan）、丽水（Yeosu）及仁川（Incheon）、大山（Daesan）等港口，主要燃油品种建议提前约4–9天安排。

ENGINE预计，11月5日至7日，釜山、蔚山、丽水及大山部分加油作业可能受到天气影响。计划在上述港口加油的船舶，应提前确认驳船作业安排及交付时间。

In Japan, spot availability remains tight at several ports. For VLSFO and HSFO, recommended lead times are around 9–13 days at Tokyo, Chiba and Kawasaki. Supply pressure is also reported at Nagoya, Osaka and Kobe, where availability may need to be checked on a case-by-case basis.

日本多个港口现货供应偏紧。东京（Tokyo）、千叶（Chiba）和川崎（Kawasaki）的VLSFO、HSFO建议提前9–13天安排；名古屋（Nagoya）、大阪（Osaka）、神户（Kobe）等港口也存在供应压力，部分港口需要逐笔询价确认。

How Should Bulk Carriers Choose Where to Bunker?

散货船如何选择加油港

For dry bulk vessels, the choice of bunkering port should take into account more than the quoted price per tonne. Cargo operations, the next voyage, remaining fuel on board and actual delivery conditions all need to be considered.

对于干散货船而言，加油港的选择不能只看每吨燃油报价，还需要结合货物装卸计划、下一航次、船舶剩余燃油以及实际交付条件。

Make use of ports already on the voyage schedule.

Where possible, vessels should bunker at ports already included in their itinerary, aligning fuel delivery with cargo operations to avoid additional deviation and waiting time. At ports such as Singapore and Zhoushan, where lead times are longer, enquiries should be made as soon as the voyage is confirmed, with the required quantity and delivery window agreed in advance.

优先利用原定挂靠港加油。

船舶可优先考虑在原定挂靠港加油，将燃油交付与装卸货计划衔接，减少额外绕航和等待。新加坡、舟山等提前期较长的港口，应在航次确定后尽早询价，并确认供油数量和交付窗口。

Compare the total cost of alternative ports.

If the originally planned port cannot deliver on schedule, shipowners can assess alternative bunkering locations along the vessel's route. Comparisons should include the quoted fuel price, additional fuel consumed during deviation, port and barge charges, and potential waiting time. Vessels considering South Korean ports should also check actual delivery arrangements, given the possibility of weather-related disruption between 5 and 7 November.

评估替代港口的综合成本。

如果原定挂靠港无法按计划供油，可结合船舶航线评估替代港口。比较时可以将燃油报价、绕航油耗、港口及驳船费用、等待时间一并纳入计算。韩国部分港口11月5日至7日可能受到天气影响，相关船舶还需确认实际交付安排。

Plan separately for each fuel grade.

Delivery lead times vary between fuel grades. In Zhoushan, for example, VLSFO and HSFO require around 15 days' notice, while LSMGO can generally be arranged with approximately two days' notice. Vessels should schedule purchases for each grade according to remaining onboard quantities and voyage requirements.

根据燃油品种分别安排。

不同燃油品种的交付周期存在差异。以舟山为例，VLSFO和HSFO建议提前约15天订购，LSMGO约需2天。船舶可根据各油品的剩余库存和航次需求，分别安排采购时间。

Bunkering Should Be Built into Voyage Planning

加油安排需要提前纳入航次计划

As of 3 November, recommended lead times for VLSFO and HSFO are around 13–15 days in Singapore and Zhoushan, compared with approximately four to nine days at major South Korean ports. Supply at several Japanese ports remains subject to individual confirmation.

Shipowners and ship managers should establish the required fuel grades, quantities and delivery dates during voyage planning. Bunkering options should be assessed against deviation fuel consumption, port charges and potential waiting time. Stock availability and barge arrangements should then be reconfirmed with suppliers closer to the vessel's arrival.

目前，新加坡和舟山VLSFO、HSFO建议提前约13–15天订购，韩国主要港口约需4–9天，日本部分港口则需要逐笔确认供应。船东和船舶管理公司建议在航次计划阶段落实燃油品种、采购数量和交付时间，并结合绕航油耗、港口费用及等待时间评估加油方案。临近抵港时，再与供应商确认库存和驳船安排。

E-PORTS provides port service support to vessels operating worldwide. If your company requires bunkering services, port-call support or coordination with local port resources, please complete the form below to learn more about E-PORTS' global vessel service solutions.

E-PORTS面向全球船舶提供在港服务支持，如果您的企业有燃油加注、船舶靠港服务或港口资源协同需求，欢迎填写下方表单，了解 E-PORTS 全球船舶服务解决方案。

References:

• ENGINE: East of Suez Fuel Availability Outlook – 3 Nov

• myKN: Asian bunker supplies tighten with reduced Northeast Asian availability

• ENGINE: Fuel Availability Outlooks

Disclaimer: The data and analysis in this article are based on publicly available information and industry research and are provided for industry discussion and reference only. They do not constitute investment advice or an operational commitment. The shipping market is affected by multiple factors, including macroeconomic conditions, geopolitical developments and weather, and remains subject to uncertainty. Readers should consider their own fleet structure, risk tolerance and the latest market developments when making operational or commercial decisions.

参考文章：

ENGINE：East of Suez Fuel Availability Outlook 3 Nov

myKN：Asian bunker supplies tighten with reduced Northeast Asian availability

ENGINE：Fuel Availability Outlooks

*免责声明：本文所载数据及分析均基于公开信息和行业研究报告，仅供行业交流与参考，不构成任何投资建议或操作承诺。航运市场受宏观经济、地缘政治、天气变化等多重因素影响，存在不确定性。读者在制定具体经营决策时，应结合自身船队结构、风险承受能力及最新市场动态综合判断。