ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook in International Shipping News 11/02/2026 Singapore and Malaysia In Singapore, VLSFO availability remains tight, with recommended lead times of 9–13 days, slightly lower than last week’s 10–18 days. HSFO supply is also constrained, with advised lead times of 7–18 days. LSMGO availability is more uneven, with lead times ranging from 2–10 days, versus 3–5 days last week. The ongoing supply tightness reflects several overlapping factors: uneven lead times across suppliers, high premiums for prompt stems, very tight loading schedules, and advance buying ahead of the Chinese New Year holidays, which has pulled demand forward. Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 3% higher so far in February than in January, according to data from Enterprise Singapore. Fuel oil inventories have climbed above 24 million bbls, even as the port’s net fuel oil imports have declined by 8% so far this month. During this period, imports rose by 789,000 bbls, while exports increased by a larger 1.07 million bbls. Middle distillate inventories have also strengthened, rising 6% so far this month to 8.93 million bbls—their highest level since November. At Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO are generally well supplied, particularly for smaller prompt stems, while HSFO supply remains tight and harder to secure. East Asia VLSFO supply in Zhoushan has tightened despite muted demand, with several suppliers now quoting lead times of around 7–10 days, up from roughly five days last week. LSMGO availability has also deteriorated, with lead times widening from 3–5 days to 7–10 days. HSFO deliveries require 7–10 days, compared with about seven days previously. The tightening is largely linked to loading delays faced by multiple suppliers following adverse weather. Weather-related disruption led to temporary anchorage suspensions in Zhoushan last Friday, though operations resumed from Monday morning. Across northern China, bunker supply conditions remain uneven. Dalian and Qingdao have adequate availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO, although HSFO remains tight in Qingdao. In Tianjin, bunker supply is constrained across all fuel grades. At Shanghai, VLSFO and HSFO availability remains limited, while LSMGO supply is stable. Further south, tight conditions persist for both VLSFO and LSMGO in Fuzhou. Suppliers in Xiamen report sufficient VLSFO stocks, but LSMGO supply remains limited. In Yangpu and Guangzhou, delivery options for both grades continue to be restricted. Bunkering activity across China is expected to slow during the Chinese New Year holiday period from 15–23 February, as several suppliers are planning to halt operations. The final booking date for stems to be delivered during this window is 11 February, according to a source. In Hong Kong, bunker supply operations will continue throughout the holiday period, although suppliers are applying holiday surcharges to bookings. Lead times there remain steady at around seven days for all grades, largely unchanged from recent weeks. Across Taiwan, lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO remain broadly stable. Deliveries at Keelung and Hualien continue to require about two days’ advance notice, while slightly longer lead times of around three days are still advised at Kaohsiung and Taichung. Meanwhile, the delivery of fresh bunker stems at several ports in Taiwan will be temporarily suspended during the Chinese New Year holiday period. In South Korea, most suppliers are now quotin