ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook in International Shipping News 04/02/2026 Singapore and Malaysia In Singapore, VLSFO supply remains tight as terminal loading delays continue to affect several suppliers, causing some January bookings to roll into February. Recommended lead times for the grade have widened to 10–18 days, compared with 12–14 days last week. A source said the tightness is likely to continue through the first half of February. HSFO availability has tightened further, with deliveries typically requiring 11–18 days of advance notice, up from 9–12 days last week. In contrast, LSMGO supply has improved, with lead times narrowing to 3–5 days from 7–9 days previously. At Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO grades are generally well supplied, especially for smaller prompt stems, while HSFO remains tight and more difficult to secure. East Asia VLSFO availability in Zhoushan has improved, with several suppliers now indicating lead times of about five days, down from more than seven days last week. HSFO remains constrained, with recommended lead times of around seven days, broadly unchanged week on week. LSMGO supply is comfortable, with steady lead times of 3–5 days. Across northern China, bunker supply remains uneven. Dalian and Qingdao have adequate availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO, although HSFO is still tight in Qingdao. Bunker supply remains tight across all fuel grades in Tianjin. In Shanghai, VLSFO and HSFO supplies remain limited, while LSMGO availability is stable. Further south, tight supply persists for both VLSFO and LSMGO in Fuzhou. Suppliers in Xiamen have sufficient supply of VLSFO, but LSMGO is limited. In Yangpu and Guangzhou, delivery options for both grades are still limited. In Hong Kong, bunker lead times are steady at around seven days for all grades, largely unchanged from recent weeks. Across Taiwan, lead times for both VLSFO and LSMGO remain broadly stable, with deliveries at Keelung, Taichung, Kaohsiung and Hualien still requiring about two days of advance notice, unchanged from last week. In South Korea, most suppliers are quoting lead times of around 3–8 days for all fuel grades amid subdued demand, compared with 4–6 days last week. Meanwhile, ongoing winter conditions continue to heighten the risk of operational disruptions. Weather-related interruptions may affect Busan and Ulsan between 6–9 February, Yeosu between 7–9 February, and Daesan from 5–9 February. Bunkering activity is expected to stay subdued during the Lunar New Year (Seollal) holiday period, observed from 16–18 February, as barge operations are likely to be suspended, although this may vary by supplier, according to a trader. In Japan, prompt VLSFO supply remains tight at major ports including Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Nagoya, Yokkaichi and Mizushima, with recommended lead times of 7–10 days. Supply is steady at Osaka and Kobe. LSMGO availability remains broadly stable across the country. B24-VLSFO is available only on request at Tokyo, Chiba and Yokohama. HSFO supply is generally stable at several Japanese ports. At Tokuyama and Oita, suppliers report adequate availability of all three grades, while Kashima has good supplies of VLSFO and HSFO. Oceania Bunker availability across Australia remains broadly steady, with VLSFO and LSMGO readily available nationwide and seven-day lead times still the norm. In Western Australia, suppliers are advising lead times of around seven days at Kwinana and Fremantle. Most deliver