Business

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Several suppliers offer prompt products in Houston; HSFO remains limited in Los Angeles; VLSFO availability is tight in Colombian ports.

Published

4 years ago

July 1, 2022

Admin

Resized Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook image for Manifold Times

The following article regarding bunker fuel availability in the Americas region has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

30 June 2022

Several suppliers offer prompt products in Houston
HSFO remains limited in Los Angeles
VLSFO availability is tight in Colombian ports

North America

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO are available with several suppliers in the Houston area. A supplier that typically has tighter availability has resumed offers for prompt deliveries, sources say.

Securing VLSFO for prompt dates in New York is mostly tight. Only few suppliers can offer the grade for prompt deliveries. A supplier is avoiding offers for smaller stem sizes, sources say.

A supplier is running low on LSMGO stock in New York adding pressure on others’ supply, while has better stocks of VLSFO and HSFO.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability are tight for prompt dates in San Francisco. A supplier requires 6-7 days of lead time to supply vessel at anchorage.

HSFO supply continues to be limited in Los Angeles and other West Coast ports. VLSFO and LSMGO availability are tight for prompt dates in Los Angeles. A supplier is not accepting standalone LSMGO orders, but rather in combinations with other grades, sources say.

VLSFO availability is tight in Philadelphia for prompt dates. A supplier is running low on stock adding pressure on others’ supply.

Bunker suppliers in Canada will observe a public holiday on 1 July. The earliest bunker delivery dates with a supplier in Montreal is seven days out.

VLSFO availability is tight in Mexico’s Veracruz. A supplier has paused offers for the grade.

Latin America

Prompt availability remains tight for all grades in Panama. A supplier can offer VLSFO and LSMGO in Balboa with lead times of 5-6 days. Another supplier’s earliest estimated delivery date is five days out for VLSFO, while has no LSMGO stock.

One supplier has tight barge availability in Balboa and can supply the grade via pipeline at Rodman port.

Prompt availability is tight in Zona Comun, several suppliers have limited delivery slots for early July dates, but a supplier can offer VLSFO and LSMGO from 5 July onwards.

Bunker fuel availability is normal in Bahia Blanca. Recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO are around five days. A supplier can offer limited quantities for prompt dates, sources say.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability are tight in Colombia’s Santa Marta and Cartagena. VLSFO in particular is tighter as several suppliers are almost out of stock, sources say. One supplier can offer limited LSMGO quantities for prompt dates.

VLSFO is typically sourced from local refinery in Colombia and the refiner is unable to match production with demand, a trader says.

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 1 July, 2022

Methanol

China: Chimbusco takes delivery of new methanol bunkering vessel in Zhoushan

Company says commissioning of “Zhong Ran LV Neng 85” will further enhance its service capabilities in green methanol bunkering in major domestic ports.

Published

14 minutes ago

June 16, 2026

Admin

Chimbusco takes delivery of new methanol bunkering vessel in Zhoushan

China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) (Chimbusco) recently took delivery of its first bunkering vessel in China to deliver methanol to dual-fuel ships.

The 8,500-dwt duplex stainless steel chemical tanker Zhong Ran LV Neng 85 was successfully delivered in Zhoushan.

The company said the commissioning of this new ship will further enhance Chimbusco’s service capabilities in green methanol bunkering in major domestic ports and expand its national marine new energy service and support network

During the delivery period, Chimbusco said it focused on safe operations and conducted special training for all crew members of the vessel.

The training covered methanol bunkering operation specifications, prevention of collisions between commercial and fishing vessels, daily vessel reporting, and voyage report filling standards.

Manifold Times previously reported the launching of the bunkering vessel at Taizhou Fangzhen Shipbuilding Wharf in Zhejiang.

The floating out of the ship comes after Chimbusco has obtained methanol bunkering licences for Shanghai Port and Ningbo Port.

Photo credit: China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) (Chimbusco)
Published: 16 June, 2026

LNG Bunkering

CCEC and CMA CGM form joint venture to build and operate LNG bunkering vessel

Each party will hold a 50% ownership stake in the joint venture, which has been established for the purpose of constructing, chartering, and operating one 20,000 cbm dual-fuel LNG bunkering vessel.

Published

20 minutes ago

June 16, 2026

Admin

Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp. (CCEC), an international owner of ocean-going gas vessels, on Friday (12 June) announced the formation of a joint venture company with CMA CGM.

Each party will hold a 50% ownership stake in the joint venture, which has been established for the purpose of constructing, chartering, and operating one 20,000 cbm dual-fuel LNG bunkering vessel.

The joint venture marks CCEC’s entry into the LNG bunkering segment, the company’s first vessel dedicated to marine fuel supply.

In connection with this transaction, the joint venture has entered into a shipbuilding contract with Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering (CIMC SOE) for the construction of the vessel at a contract price of USD 82.8 million, with delivery expected in the third quarter of 2028.

Incorporating the latest technologies, the vessel is designed to enable safe and reliable LNG transfers across a wide range of operating conditions. Advanced emissions reduction systems, combined with highly efficient dual-fuel power generation, are designed to help the vessel meet applicable environmental standards of the global shipping industry.

In addition, the joint venture is expected to enter into a 12-year time charter with a joint venture company formed between CMA CGM and TotalEnergies, commencing upon delivery of the vessel from the shipyard.

Jerry Kalogiratos, CEO of Capital Clean Energy Carriers, commented: “This joint venture marks CCEC’s entry into LNG bunkering — a natural extension of our gas platform from carriage into marine fuel supply.

“Working alongside counterparties of the calibre of CMA CGM and TotalEnergies, we can help build the infrastructure that allows LNG to deliver a cleaner emissions profile, alongside security and diversity of supply, while opening a new, long-term contracted revenue stream for the Company through the Joint Venture.”

Christine Cabau, Executive Vice President Operations and Assets of CMA CGM, said: “Together with Capital Clean Energy Carriers and TotalEnergies, we are committed to building a reliable and high-performance LNG bunkering supply chain, which is essential to ensuring the availability and reliability of fuels such as LNG that represent the first step in the decarbonization of our industry.”

Photo credit: Scott Graham
Published: 16 June, 2026

Incident

UK forces intercept suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker in English Channel

In the first UK-led operation of its kind, the vessel “SMYRTOS” was boarded by Royal Marine Commandos and law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency.

Published

22 minutes ago

June 16, 2026

Admin

UK forces intercept suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker in English Channel

British Armed Forces on Sunday (14 June) boarded a sanctioned oil tanker, suspected of being part of the Russian shadow fleet, in the English Channel, according to the Ministry of Defence.

In the first UK-led operation of its kind, the vessel SMYRTOS was boarded by Royal Marine Commandos and law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency.

The UK’s Prime Minister agreed in March that British Armed Forces and law enforcement officers were able to board shadow fleet vessels, in accordance with international law.

The SMYRTOS will be provisionally moved to an anchorage off the South Coast of England and will be monitored for any environmental or safety concerns.

UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said: “This operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin’s war in Ukraine that they cannot hide.

“I want to pay tribute to all those involved, including our Armed Forces and law enforcement officers who keep this country safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

The operation builds on recent support provided by the UK to its allies to interdict shadow fleet vessels, which included RAF and Royal Navy capabilities supporting US and French operations. The operation was conducted in close coordination with the French.

The UK has sanctioned almost 600 Russian shadow fleet vessels to date.

Photo credit: Ministry of Defence
Published: 16 June, 2026