ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook in International Shipping News 21/01/2026 Singapore and Malaysia In Singapore, VLSFO availability has tightened further as several suppliers face loading congestion, pushing recommended lead times up to 10–14 days, from 7–11 days last week. LSMGO remains readily available, with lead times of 2–5 days, largely unchanged from the previous week. HSFO supply continues to be tight, typically requiring 8–12 days of advance notice, broadly in line with last week’s 7–12 days. Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 1% lower so far in January compared with December, according to the latest data from Enterprise Singapore. The port’s fuel oil inventories have remained above 25 million bbls, supported by a sharp rise in net fuel oil imports, which are up 51% month-to-date. Total fuel oil imports have increased by 310,000 bbls, while exports have fallen sharply by 1.20 million bbls. Middle distillate inventories at the port have also averaged 1% lower so far this month. At Port Klang, both VLSFO and LSMGO are generally well supplied, particularly for smaller prompt stems, while HSFO availability remains constrained and more difficult to secure. East Asia Despite subdued demand, VLSFO availability in Zhoushan has tightened as several suppliers are running low on stocks, prompting recommended lead times to lengthen to 7–10 days from 5–7 days last week. In contrast, lead times for LSMGO and HSFO in Zhoushan remain unchanged at 5–7 days. Across northern China, fuel availability remains uneven. Dalian and Qingdao have sufficient supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO, although HSFO continues to be tight in Qingdao. In Tianjin, all grades remain in short supply. In Shanghai, availability of both VLSFO and HSFO is still limited, while LSMGO supply remains stable. Further south, both VLSFO and LSMGO remain tight in Fuzhou. In Xiamen, VLSFO supply is adequate, but LSMGO availability is restricted. Delivery options for both grades continue to be constrained in Yangpu and Guangzhou. In Hong Kong, bunker lead times are steady at around seven days for all grades, broadly unchanged from recent weeks. Across Taiwan, lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO are largely stable. Deliveries at Keelung, Taichung and Hualien continue to require lead times of around two days, in line with last week, while slightly longer lead times of about three days remain recommended at Kaohsiung. Delivery of fresh bunker stems at several Taiwanese ports will be temporarily suspended during the Chinese New Year holiday period from 17 February to 3 March. New stem deliveries will be halted from 16–18 February at Keelung Port, Taichung Port and Suao Port, while the suspension will be slightly longer at Hualien Port, from 16–19 February, according to state-owned oil company CPC Corporation. During this period, only pre-booked stems will be delivered, with bookings generally required by 13 February ahead of the holiday. In contrast, bunkering operations at Kaohsiung Port will continue as normal throughout the holiday period. In South Korea, most suppliers are currently quoting lead times of around 4–7 days for all grades, shorter than last week’s 6–10 days. However, ongoing winter conditions continue to pose a risk of operational disruptions. Weather-related interruptions may affect Busan and Ulsan between 20–22 January and 24–28 January, Yeosu between 20–28 January, and Daesan between 20–25 January. In Japan, prompt VLSFO availability remains c