Japan's bunker supply expected to tighten in Nov.

Byline: S. Kamal Hayder Kazmi

Bunker fuel supply in Japan is expected to tighten in November as demand is rising, industry sources said in the week started Oct. 24. The supply of both marine fuel 0.5 percent and high sulfur bunker fuel has already started to tighten, bunker traders said. "We cannot offer spot fuel," said a fuel oil trader. The fourth quarter is typically the demand season for bunker fuel in the country. "Ships arriving in Japan after mid-November load bunker fuel for two voyages," said a source at a shipping company. Japan will observe a holiday week around the New Year's Day, when bunkering operations are suspended. Ships that are scheduled to visit the country...