NZ Fuel Watch update from Dave Trotter, tracking tanker movements and fuel supply positions across New Zealand.
National Overview
Current shipping data shows no meaningful increase in inbound fuel activity, with vessel schedules remaining thin and increasingly spaced out. The emerging pattern suggests longer gaps between shipments, particularly in key North Island ports.
Tanker Schedule by Port
| Port |
Vessel |
Origin |
ETA |
Notes |
| Marsden Point |
Opera |
— |
May 1 |
Confirmed |
| Marsden Point |
Orca |
— |
May 11 |
Recently added |
| Tauranga |
Hafner Petrel |
Brisbane |
— |
Likely heavy fuel oil |
| Tauranga |
Emerald |
— |
May 9 |
Confirmed |
| Tauranga |
Grand Winner |
Nelson |
May 11 |
Delayed origin |
| Tauranga |
Virtus |
Singapore |
May 16 |
New addition |
| Napier |
Grand Winner 3 |
Nelson |
— |
Delayed, no movement |
| Wellington |
Grand Winner 3 |
Nelson |
— |
Only listed vessel |
| New Plymouth |
TP Insurance |
— |
May 1 |
Confirmed |
| New Plymouth |
SW Quillito |
— |
May 9 |
Unconfirmed |
| Nelson |
Grand Winner |
Wellington |
May 3 |
Confirmed |
| Nelson |
Gem Emerald |
Dunedin |
May 18 |
Returning north |
| Christchurch |
Steam Endeavour |
— |
May 2 |
Confirmed |
| Christchurch |
Gem Emerald |
— |
May 11 |
Confirmed |
| Timaru |
Emerald |
— |
May 13 |
Confirmed |
| Timaru |
Merse Crete |
— |
May 15 |
Confirmed |
| Dunedin |
Steam Endeavour |
— |
May 9 |
Confirmed |
| Dunedin |
Gem Emerald |
— |
May 14 |
Confirmed |
| Bluff |
Steam Endeavour |
— |
May 6 |
Confirmed |
North Island — Supply Pressure Building
Tauranga remains the most stable port, with a tight but functional schedule through mid-May.
However, Napier and Wellington are now showing clear signs of vulnerability, with only one delayed vessel (Grand Winner 3) listed and no additional confirmed arrivals.
New Plymouth holds a minimal but workable position, pending confirmation of the SW Quillito.
South Island — Patchy but Holding
South Island ports show a mixed but generally stable picture, with:
- Christchurch and Dunedin maintaining steady flows
- Timaru supported by closely spaced arrivals
- Nelson and Bluff remaining lightly supplied with wider gaps
Key Developments
- Hafner Petrel expected to deliver heavy fuel oil, not suitable for standard transport fuels but still required for industrial use
- CC Ningbo reappearing in schedules, likely collecting contaminated fuel rather than delivering, and therefore excluded from supply totals
Outlook
The short-term outlook indicates:
- Increasing gaps between tanker arrivals
- Continued delays from key feeder ports (notably Nelson)
- Potential tightening of supply in Napier and Wellington first
“It’s going to take at least another four days before I should be seeing these numbers be a little more tightly packed together instead of where they are just now.”
Clarity is expected within the next few days as additional vessel movements are confirmed.
This report is based on independent analysis of publicly available shipping data, port activity, and industry sources. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, information may change and should not be relied upon as definitive or real-time supply confirmation. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, commercial, or policy advice.
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Dave Trotter – Fuel Compilation Analyst
Dave Trotter is an independent Fuel Compilation Analyst and founder of Marsden Point News Radio. He tracks fuel tanker movements in and out of New Zealand using real-time shipping and port data following the Marsden Point Refinery closure. His work provides a factual, ground-level view of NZ’s fuel supply, focusing on imports, storage, and distribution across multiple ports. Dave publishes regular updates at www.davidtrotter.co.nz and via Telegram.