The ongoing crisis in the Red Sea is having a varied impact on bunker volume sales around the world. According to the International Bunkering Industry Association (Ibia), Africa’s eastern coast is emerging as a new hub for bunkering services.With nearly all container lines now actively avoiding sailings through the Suez Canal and rerouting vessels around the Cape, countries such as Djibouti, Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique have significantly bolstered their bunkering services.Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has noted a rise in bunkering activity, with 217 calls reported between January and February. Among these, Cape Town received 114 calls, Durban 75, and the Port of Ngqura 15. Additionally, the Port of Port Elizabeth recorded three bunker calls. A spokesperson attributed 47 of these directly to the Red Sea Crisis. In Cape Town, this marked a notable increase of approximately 27%.Mauritius port authorities have reported a 15-20% increase in bunker sales volumes, attributed to the island’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean, making it a pivotal bunkering point for the rerouted maritime traffic. Demand continues to be fairly high at Mozambican ports such as Maputo. On the west coast, the Port of Walvis Bay has also seen growth in demand.In its latest report to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Ibia noted while an increase in bunker volume sales had been pointed out that, it was not uniform across regions in Africa.“Some stakeholders have noted significant potential for increased demand, while others have observed shifts in demand patterns, particularly towards Mediterranean ports, although some of those ports, such as Port Said, have seen a reduction. The best month for supply in one case was noted despite the crisis,” reads the report. “Most entities have been able to meet the increased demand without significant issues.”According to Ibia, estimates of increased sales range from 15-20% for some, with specific increases of 5-10 kilotons per month noted, predominantly in Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) and Light Sulphur Marine Gas Oil (LSMGO). High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO) demand has also seen an uptick, inf luenced by price dynamics, with major bunkering hubs.“The demand for bunkers is expected to increase further, with some entities experiencing solid trends and engaging in medium-term contracts. The crisis’s continuation is likely to sustain this demand increase, with infrastructure improvements such as f loating storages and barges potentially solidifying the demand in South and West Africa,” states the report.
