South Africa’s Algoa Bay continues to lose ground as a bunkering hub, with the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) describing the anchorage as a “significant missed opportunity” amid ongoing regulatory restrictions, according to Ship & Bunker.
According to Ship & Bunker, IBIA’s regional manager for Africa, Tahra Sergeant, wrote in a regional update published on the association’s website that some vessel traffic has shifted away from Algoa Bay to alternative locations, including Mauritius, which continues to report strong bunker volumes. Ship & Bunker notes that offshore bunkering at the Algoa Bay anchorage has been suspended since September 2023, and new ship-to-ship transfer regulations introduced last year drew criticism from the local bunker industry for singling out the location.
Regional Snapshot
Sergeant described the broader Southern African market as “stable but constrained,” as reported by Ship & Bunker. Elsewhere on the continent, IBIA characterized North Africa as relatively stable, pointing to continued demand for low sulphur marine gasoil around key Mediterranean ports, with the Mediterranean Emission Control Area shaping regional fuel requirements.
West Africa remains an active demand center, with Ship & Bunker reporting that local production in Nigeria is becoming increasingly important to the wider market, with Lagos and Port Harcourt cited as key locations. Renewed refinery activity in Ghana was also flagged as a potential opportunity to strengthen regional fuel availability.
East Africa, meanwhile, faces more complex conditions. According to Ship & Bunker, IBIA pointed to ongoing concerns around availability, logistics, and supplier reliability in some markets, with Mozambique and Kenya remaining important supply locations. The association said continued investment and greater regulatory certainty will be key to longer-term development in the region.
Industry Engagement
Separately, IBIA chair Adrian Tolson and executive director Alexander Prokopakis met with Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane during a drinks reception at Posidonia in Athens, discussing how the association can support regional industry talks, including on the future of Algoa Bay, Ship & Bunker reported. IBIA is also said to be exploring closer ties with national and regional bodies, including potential engagement with a Nigerian bunker association, on regulatory alignment, safety standards, and infrastructure.
The update comes ahead of the 2nd Annual Bunker Africa Conference, scheduled for September 28-30, 2026, at the Boardwalk Hotel and International Convention Centre in Gqeberha, South Africa, under the theme “An Inclusive Energy Future: Bunkering & Renewables Growth in Gqeberha.” IBIA also plans an Africa-focused webinar on marine fuels and bunkering and intends to support Maritime Week Africa in January 2027, according to Ship & Bunker.
Does This Matter to You?
Vessel operators, charterers, and bunker traders routing through southern African waters may want to track how continued restrictions at Algoa Bay affect fuel availability and pricing options along that corridor. As traffic shifts toward Mauritius, supply planning and port calls in the region could be influenced by where offshore bunkering remains commercially viable. Developments in West African production, particularly in Nigeria and Ghana, and ongoing supply reliability concerns in East Africa may also factor into voyage planning and sourcing decisions for operators active across African trade routes.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
