ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook in International Shipping News 01/07/2026 Singapore and Malaysia VLSFO availability in Singapore remains under strain, with recommended lead times continuing to vary widely across suppliers. While some suppliers can deliver in around nine days, others are quoting lead times of more than four weeks. Although the lower end of the range is unchanged, the upper end has extended further from around three weeks previously. Recommended lead times for HSFO have narrowed to 7–11 days, compared with 5–13 days last week. For LSMGO, suppliers are advising lead times of 3–8 days, versus 6–10 days a week ago. The port’s residual fuel oil inventories have averaged 18% lower so far in June than across May, according to the latest data from Enterprise Singapore. Stocks have fallen below 17 million bbls amid a sharp 37% drop in Singapore’s net fuel oil imports so far this month. Imports declined by 849,000 bbls, while exports increased by a modest 127,000 bbls. Singapore’s middle distillate inventories have also continued to decline, averaging 7.89 million bbls so far this month. Stocks are 14% below previous levels, leaving inventories at multi-year lows. Bunker fuel availability in Malaysia’s Port Klang remains mixed. VLSFO supply is generally sufficient, particularly for smaller prompt stems. However, LSMGO availability remains constrained, while HSFO continues to face supply pressure, leaving both grades relatively tight. East Asia Despite subdued bunker demand, VLSFO availability in Zhoushan remains under pressure. Recommended lead times have lengthened from 7–10 days last week to 7–12 days, contributing to the recent increase in the benchmark price. Lead times for both LSMGO and HSFO have extended to 5–7 days, up from just three days previously. Bunker fuel supply across northern China presents a mixed picture. Suppliers in Dalian and Qingdao have ample stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, although HSFO availability in Qingdao remains