ENGINE: Europe and Africa Fuel Availability Outlook in International Shipping News 02/07/2026 Northwest Europe Bunker fuel availability is very tight for prompt delivery dates in the ARA, with buyers recommended to book HSFO and VLSFO stems around seven days in advance to avoid high premiums, while LSMGO supplies may take around five days, a trader told ENGINE. The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged around 8% higher in the penultimate week of June, compared to May, according to Insights Global data. Fuel oil stocks in the ARA hub have gained slightly from May’s inventory levels, which were the lowest seen in more than a decade. The ARA hub has imported 247,000 b/d of fuel oil in June, slightly higher than May’s monthly average of 230,000 b/d, according to Vortexa’s cargo data. Most of June’s shipments have come from Syria (16%), Venezuela (15%) and UK (12%). The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have dropped 1% in June compared to May. Gasoil inventories are at their lowest level in around two and a half years. The ARA hub imported 178,000 b/d of gasoil in June, down from 204,000 b/d imported in May, Vortexa data showed. June’s shipments have come mainly from the U.S (32%), the U.K (19%) and Lithuania (9%). Marine fuels supply is stable in Germany’s Hamburg, and any fuel grade stem can be secured with a notice of around five days, a trader told ENGINE. Buyers off Denmark’s Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg are advised to book around 10 days ahead for any fuel grade, according to a trader. Mediterranean Bunker availability remains very tight for prompt delivery dates in Gibraltar, Algeciras and Ceuta, with buyers recommended to book around 10 days ahead to get good coverage from suppliers, a trader said. Rough winds of around 25 knots are forecast in the area between 3-4 July, which may complicate bunkering in the Gibraltar Strait ports. Rough seas, with swells between 1.5-2 metres high, are forecast in