ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook in International Shipping News 22/04/2026 Singapore and Malaysia Prices in Singapore have edged lower, supported by expectations that upcoming US-Iran peace talks could ease regional tensions and potentially increase supply from the Middle East, a source said. Soft demand is adding to the pressure. “Demand for VLSFO is slow,” a Singapore-based trader said, contributing further to the decline in the benchmark. In terms of availability, VLSFO lead times in Singapore remain broadly stable at 5-12 days. HSFO lead times are now assessed at 5-10 days, compared with a wider 3-12-day range last week. LSMGO lead times continue to hold steady at 2-7 days, largely unchanged week on week. On the supply side, Singapore’s residual fuel oil inventories have averaged 5% lower so far in April compared to March, according to Enterprise Singapore. Total fuel oil stocks have dropped below 23 million bbls, driven by a sharp 54% decline in net imports this month. Imports have fallen by 2.39 million bbls, while exports have risen slightly by 151,000 bbls. In contrast, middle distillate inventories have increased, averaging 15% so far this month and reaching their highest levels since September. At Malaysia’s Port Klang, VLSFO availability remains relatively steady, particularly for smaller prompt stems. However, tighter LSMGO supply and continued constraints in HSFO availability are making both grades harder to secure. East Asia Availability in Zhoushan remains strong across all grades, with recommended lead times steady at 3-7 days, largely unchanged from last week. However, adverse weather later this week could disrupt bunkering operations, a source noted. Across northern China, supply conditions are uneven. Dalian and Qingdao have sufficient VLSFO and LSMGO stocks, although HSFO remains limited in Qingdao. Tianjin is facing tight availability across all grades, while Shanghai is seeing constrained VLSFO and HSFO supply, with LSMGO relatively stable. Further south, supply remains tighter. Fuzhou is experiencing limited availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO. Xiamen has adequate VLSFO supply but restricted LSMGO volumes. In Yangpu and Guangzhou, both grades continue to face supply pressure. In Hong Kong, bunker availability is largely stable, with lead times for all grades holding at around seven days in recent weeks. Meanwhile, CPC Corporation has lifted restrictions on bunker delivery order extensions and cancellation charges at Taiwanese ports with immediate effect. “There is no such problem [shortage of cargo] happening till now, therefore CPC thinks it is unnecessary to keep this rule in place,” a trader said. The company added that it will resume accepting requests to extend delivery order validity, and that cancellation charges introduced on 10 March will no longer apply. In Taiwan, supply conditions remain stable, according to a local trader. Lead times are around two days for both VLSFO and LSMGO across Keelung, Taichung, Kaohsiung and Hualien. In South Korea’s southern ports – including Busan, Ulsan, Masan, Onsan, Yeosu and Kwangyang – recommended lead times for all fuel grades remain steady at around 2-3 days, broadly unchanged from approximately three days last week. At western ports such as Incheon, Daesan, Dangjin, Pyeongtaek and Taean, lead times are also at 2-3 days, easing from a wider 4-6-day range in the previous week. Bunker demand in the country has shown some improvement, supported by