ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook in International Shipping News 18/02/2026 Singapore and Malaysia In Singapore, VLSFO supply remains tight, with recommended lead times of 8–13 days, largely in line with last week’s 9–13 days. HSFO availability is also constrained, though lead times have narrowed to 8–12 days from 7–18 days previously. LSMGO typically requires 6–10 days, compared with a wider range of 2–10-days last week. The persistent tightness stems from overlapping pressures: inconsistent lead times among suppliers, elevated premiums for prompt stems and heavily booked loading schedules. Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have stayed broadly stable so far in February, according to Enterprise Singapore. Total fuel oil inventories have edged above 23 million bbls, even as net imports have declined by 4% so far this month. During this period, imports rose by 540,000 bbls, but exports increased more sharply by 678,000 bbls. The port’s middle distillate inventories have also climbed, averaging 9% higher this month. At Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO are generally well supplied—particularly for smaller prompt requirements—while HSFO remains tight and comparatively difficult to secure. East Asia Bunker availability across China remains tight for all fuel grades, even though demand is subdued. Several suppliers are maintaining lead times of 7–10 days, unchanged from the previous week. Supply conditions in northern China are mixed. Dalian and Qingdao have sufficient volumes of VLSFO and LSMGO, but HSFO remains constrained in Qingdao. Bunker supply is tight across all grades in Tianjin. In Shanghai, VLSFO and HSFO availability is limited, while LSMGO supply is comparatively steady. In the south, supply of both VLSFO and LSMGO is tight in Fuzhou. Suppliers in Xiamen have adequate VLSFO stocks, though LSMGO remains restricted. Delivery schedules in Yangpu and Guangzhou are also constrained for both grades. Bunkering activity across China is expected to remain slow during the Chinese New Year holiday period from 15–23 February, as several suppliers have paused operations. No new stems will be accepted during this period, and only previously confirmed deliveries will go ahead, according to market sources. In Hong Kong, bunkering services will continue through the holiday period, though suppliers are imposing seasonal surcharges. Lead times there remain steady at about seven days for all grades. In Taiwan, fresh stem deliveries at several ports have been temporarily suspended due to holidays. Delivery of fresh stems remain halted until 18 February in Keelung, Taichung and Suao, while suspension in Hualien runs from 16–19 February, according to CPC Corporation. Only pre-booked stems will be supplied during these periods. Kaohsiung, however, will maintain normal bunkering operations throughout the holiday period. In South Korea, suppliers have shortened lead times to around 3–7 days for all bunker grades, compared with 7–8 days last week. Bunkering activity is expected to remain subdued during the Lunar New Year (Seollal) holidays from 16–18 February, when barge operations may remain suspended, depending on the supplier, according to a trader. In Japan, VLSFO supply remains ample in major ports such as Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, and Kawasaki. However, availability is tight in Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Mizushima and Tokuyama, where recommended lead times are holding at 7–10 days. LSMGO supply is generally steady nationwide. B24-VLSFO is avail