The following article regarding Europe and Africa bunker fuel availability has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times: Prompt availability tight in ARA ports Busy summer cruise season increases lead times in Piraeus Increase in demand tightens availability in South African ports Northwest Europe Fuel availability in the ARA is tight for prompt delivery dates, and buyers are recommended lead times of 5-7 days to secure supplies at competitive prices, a trader told ENGINE. The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 17% higher in September so far compared with August’s monthly average, according to Insights Global data. The ARA hub has imported around 297,000 b/d of fuel oil in September so far, down from around 342,000 b/d in August, according to Vortexa cargo flows data. Most shipments have arrived from Mexico (24%), Benin (19%) and France (15%). The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have risen by 2% in September so far, compared to August, according to the Insights Global data. The region has imported around 141,000 b/d of gasoil in September so far, down from an average of around 155,000 b/d imported in August, according to Vortexa data. A majority of shipments have arrived from the US (28%), Germany (13%) and the UK (11%). Fuel availability in Hamburg is steady, with five days’ notice recommended to secure any grade in the German port, a trader told ENGINE. Bunker availability remains tight off Skaw and in Gothenburg, and buyers are asked to give around 10-14 days for delivery of any grade in the Scandinavian hubs, a trader said. Mediterranean Prompt fuel availability at ports in the Gibraltar Strait is tight, with lead times of 10-12 days recommended for reliable coverage, a trader told ENGINE. Gibraltar is seeing slight congestion, with around eight vessels currently awaiting bunkers, por