ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook in International Shipping News 18/03/2026 Singapore and Malaysia Singapore’s VLSFO and LSMGO prices have remained above $1,000/mt this week, supported by elevated crude prices, tightening supply, stronger demand and escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The strength in bunker prices is largely tied to rising tensions in the Middle East, which have pushed Brent crude’s price sharply higher and disrupted trade flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil shipments. “Premiums are quite high for now,” a Singapore-based trader said. VLSFO availability continues to be tight, with recommended lead times of around 10–13 days, slightly down from 12–16 days last week. HSFO supply also remains constrained, with lead times of 9–16 days, compared with 11–15 days in the prior week. In contrast, LSMGO lead times have shortened significantly to 6–9 days, compared with 13–17 days last week. On the inventory side, Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 3% higher so far this month compared with February, according to Enterprise Singapore. Total stocks have climbed above 23 million bbls, amid a 2% increase in net fuel oil imports in March. Both trade flows have risen, with imports up by 138,000 bbls and exports increasing by 62,000 bbls. Meanwhile, middle distillate inventories have moved in the opposite direction, falling by 14% this month to 7.27 million bbls, marking multi-year lows. Port Klang continues to report adequate VLSFO availability, especially for smaller prompt stems. However, LSMGO supply has tightened, while HSFO availability remains limited, making both grades harder to secure. East Asia Bunker prices across Chinese ports, including Zhoushan, have been rising sharply, driven primarily by higher crude prices amid escalating tensions in the Middle East—particularly around the Strait of Hormuz—which have lifted bunker fuel prices across Asia. In response, China has imposed an immediate ban on refined fuel exports in March to prevent a potential domestic fuel shortage stemming from the Middle East tensions, a source said. At Zhoushan, recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO remain at 5–10 days, largely unchanged from last week. HSFO supply has improved, with lead times also at 5–10 days, compared with last week when suppliers were not offering lead time indications due to constrained supply, the source added. Supply conditions vary across northern China. Dalian and Qingdao report adequate availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, though HSFO remains limited in Qingdao. Bunker supply is tight across all grades in Tianjin, while in Shanghai, VLSFO and HSFO stocks are constrained, with LSMGO availability relatively stable. Further south, supply pressures are evident. Supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is tight in Fuzhou, while suppliers have sufficient VLSFO stocks in Xiamen, with restricted LSMGO availability. Both grades are in tight supply in Yangpu and Guangzhou. In Hong Kong, bunker availability is broadly stable, with lead times holding at around seven days for all grades in recent weeks. In Taiwan, supply has seen “not so much impact.” However, prices have responded more strongly, as the Brent rally linked to Middle East tensions has significantly influenced bunker prices over the weekend, a trader said. Recommended lead times for VLSFO and MGO in Keelung, Taichung and Hualien are around two days, while deliveries in Kaohsiung require around four days, due