ENGINE: Europe and Africa Fuel Availability Outlook in International Shipping News 09/07/2026 Northwest Europe In the ARA bunkering hub, bunker availability is tight for prompt delivery dates, with buyers recommended booking between 5-7 days ahead to get good coverage, a trader said. The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks rose 13% in June, compared to May’s monthly average, according to Insights Global data. Inventories have rebounded from May’s levels, which were the lowest in more than a decade. The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have dropped 1% in June, compared to May, and are at their lowest level in around two and a half years. Early July flows have been much slower, however. The ARA hub has imported only 52,000 b/d of fuel oil in the first two days of July, with all cargoes coming from Tunisia, down from June’s monthly average of 215,000 b/d, according to Vortexa cargo data. No fuel oil was exported from the ARA in July, Vortexa data showed. Meanwhile, the region has imported 102,000 b/d of gasoil in July so far, down from 188,000 b/d imported in June, Vortexa data said. July’s shipments came from France (56%) and the United Kingdom (44%). Availability of all marine fuel types is normal in Germany’s Hamburg, and any fuel grade can be secured with a notice of around five days, a trader told ENGINE. Off Denmark’s Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, fuel buyers are advised to book around 10 days ahead for any fuel grade, according to a trader. Mediterranean In the Gibraltar Strait ports, fuel availability is tight for prompt supplies, with buyers advised booking around seven days ahead to avoid high premiums, a trader said. Some suppliers could face a delay of around 12-24 hours in Gibraltar, while most suppliers can supply more readily if space is available for the vessel, port agent MH Bland said. Around 11 vessels are currently awaiting supplies in the port as of Wednesday morning, mostly due to lack of spa