The following article regarding Europe and Africa bunker fuel availability has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times: Loading delays double lead times in the ARA Prompt supplies tight in the Gibraltar Strait 10 days of lead time advised off Walvis Bay Northwest Europe Suppliers are experiencing loading long delays at terminals in the ARA hub, a trader said. This has almost doubled lead times in the ARA to 10 days, from 4-5 days last week, the trader added. The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 13% lower so far in May than in April, according to Insights Global data. The fuel oil stocks have fallen to their lowest level in 11 years. The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have averaged 7% lower this month than in April. Gasoil inventories have fallen to their lowest in nearly two years. In Germany’s Hamburg, buyers are advised to book stems around five days in advance, a trader told ENGINE. Off Denmark’s Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, buyers are recommended around 10 days of lead time for delivery of any fuel grade, according to a trader. Mediterranean Availability of bunker fuel is tight for prompt delivery dates in the Gibraltar Strait ports, a trader told ENGINE. Buyers are advised to book at least 7-10 days ahead to get competitive offers from a wide selection of suppliers, a trader told ENGINE. Some suppliers in Gibraltar are running around 4-6 hours late on deliveries, port agent MH Bland said. In neighbouring Algeciras, certain suppliers are running around a day behind schedule, the port agent added. Bunker availability is tight in Las Palmas, with buyers advised to enquire about stems with a lead time of around 7-10 days to get deliveries of any fuel grade, a trader told ENGINE. In Spain’s Huelva, bunker fuels are available with a lead time of around 5-7 days, according to a trader. In Valencia, buyers