East of Suez Fuel Availability Outlook in International Shipping News 15/04/2026 Singapore and Malaysia Bunker prices in Singapore have remained firm despite muted demand and been supported by the war in the Middle East. The war has choked off most oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil trade. In Singapore, VLSFO lead times now range widely between 4–13 days, compared to 6–11 days last week. HSFO lead times have widened to a 3–12-day range, versus 7–10 days previously. The wide spread in lead times is a sign that some suppliers are still able to offer prompt delivery dates, a source said. Recommended lead times for LSMGO stand at 2–7 days, broadly unchanged from last week. Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 9% lower so far in April compared to March, according to data from Enterprise Singapore. Total fuel oil inventories have fallen below 22 million bbls, following a sharp 57% decline in net fuel oil imports so far this month. Imports have dropped by 2.73 million bbls, while exports have edged lower by 34,000 bbls. Meanwhile, the port’s middle distillate inventories have averaged 7% higher so far this month, reaching their highest level since November. At Port Klang, VLSFO availability remains relatively stable, especially for smaller prompt stems. However, LSMGO supply has tightened, while HSFO availability remains constrained, making both grades increasingly difficult to secure. East Asia Bunkering at Zhoushan’s Tiaozhoumen and Xiazhimen outer anchorages was halted for nearly a week due to rough weather, before resuming on Tuesday, a source said. In contrast, operations continued without interruption at the more sheltered Xiushandong anchorage and the inner anchorage at Mazhi. The disruption has created a backlog of 50–60 vessels waiting to refuel, a trader noted. Suppliers are now recommending lead times of 5–7 days for all grades as they work through the congestion, compared to last week’s 7–10 days for VLSFO and 5–10 days for both LSMGO and HSFO. However, bunkering could be suspended again by thick fog across all anchorages later on Tuesday, another source added. Across northern China, supply conditions remain mixed. Dalian and Qingdao have sufficient VLSFO and LSMGO availability, although HSFO remains limited in Qingdao. Tianjin is experiencing tight supply across all grades, while in Shanghai, VLSFO and HSFO stocks are constrained, with LSMGO availability relatively steady. Further south, tighter conditions persist. Fuzhou is facing limited availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO. Xiamen has adequate VLSFO supply but restricted LSMGO volumes. In Yangpu and Guangzhou, both grades remain under pressure. In Hong Kong, bunker supply is largely stable, with lead times for all grades holding at around seven days in recent weeks. In Taiwan, supply has to some extent been impacted by the Middle East war, although price volatility has been more pronounced. Fluctuations in crude prices have significantly influenced bunker markets, a Taiwan-based trader said. Recommended lead times remain around two days for VLSFO and LSMGO in Keelung, Taichung and Hualien, while Kaohsiung requires about three days. In South Korea’s southern ports – including Busan, Ulsan, Masan, Onsan, Yeosu and Kwangyang – advised lead times for all fuel grades have been extended to around 4–6 days, largely unchanged from 4–5 days the previous week. At western ports such as Incheon, Daesan, Dangjin, Pyeongtaek and Taean, lead time