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: Prompt fuel availability is tight in ARA Slight port congestion seen in Gibraltar VLSFO requires needs notice of 5-7 days off Algoa Bay Northwest Europe Fuel availability is tight for prompt delivery dates in the ARA, and buyers are recommended lead times between 5-7 days to secure supplies, a trader said. The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 3% higher so far in July, compared to June’s monthly average, according to Insights Global data. The ARA hub has imported only 134,000 b/d of fuel oil in July so far, a sharp drop from June’s monthly average of 215,000 b/d, according to Vortexa cargo data. Shipments originated from Syria, France (21%) and Colombia (17%) among other countries. The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have dropped by 6% in July, compared to June, according to the Insights Global data. The region has imported 126,000 b/d of gasoil in July so far, down significantly from 188,000 b/d imported in June, according to Vortexa data. Most of these shipments have come from Sweden (17%), the UK (16%) and Canada (13%). Bunker availability is normal in Germany’s Hamburg, and all fuel grades can be delivered within five days, a trader told ENGINE. Off Denmark’s Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, bunker fuel availability is tight, and fuel buyers are advised booking deliveries around 10 days ahead for any fuel grade, according to a trader. Mediterranean Those looking to bunker in the Gibraltar Strait ports are recommended to book stems around 5-7 days ahead, a trader said. There are 13 vessels awaiting bunkers at Gibraltar, and some suppliers are running around 6-10 hours behind schedule on deliveries, port agent MH Bland said. Buyers can secure deliveries in Barcelona