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ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Above-average US fuel oil stocks, below-average distillate stocks; prompt VLSFO readily available in Argentina and Brazil; rough weather headed to GOLA, Trinidad and Zona Comun.

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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:

28 July 2022

  • Above-average US fuel oil stocks, below-average distillate stocks
  • Prompt VLSFO readily available in Argentina and Brazil
  • Rough weather headed to GOLA, Trinidad and Zona Comun

 

North America

Buyers have been looking to start the bunker procurement process further ahead in recent weeks, sources say. Both to have their ducks in a row to fix stems when the market has trended down, and to ensure fuel availability for their targeted dates. But availability has not been tight to the extremes of late, except for in a couple of locations such as Panama and Trinidad.

VLSFO and LSMGO grades are generally in good supply with suppliers in the Houston area, while HSFO can be tighter and requires around a week of lead time with one supplier.

A period of strong winds and swells between Sunday and Monday could disrupt bunkering at the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA).

LSMGO and HSFO availability prospects in New York vary between suppliers. One can deliver the grades with 3-5 days of lead time, another in seven days, while one needs 12 days.

Suppliers in Los Angeles, Long Beach and other US West Coast ports can accommodate prompt stems. The earliest delivery dates for VLSFO and LSMGO with two suppliers in San Francisco range between 4-6 days out.  

US residual fuel oil stocks have grown beyond their position at this time last year, and also above their five-year average. Fuel oil inventories averaged 2% higher in the first three weeks of July compared to the whole of June, Energy Information Administration (EIA) figures show. A 71,000 b/d drop in supply out of storage – implied demand – has supported stock levels over this period.

Imports have dropped by 95,000 b/d on the month in July. Mexico has been the US’ biggest import source since April, when Russian inflows were phased out with an embargo. US importers increasingly looked towards Mexico and the Middle East to replace Russian barrels. Algeria became its second-biggest fuel oil source in May and June, while the UAE has taken that spot in July.

A sustained period of high refinery runs has yielded more fuel oil as a by-product and supported the stock build. US refinery utilisation has averaged above 90% since the end of April. Utilisation was ramped up further from mid-May, especially on the East Coast (97-99%) and Gulf Coast (95-98%), while to a lesser extent on the West Coast (81-90%).

The 257,000 b/d capacity Richmond refinery on the West Coast is slated for a six-week crude distillation (CDU) maintenance that started 15 June, according to Wood Mackenzie, which should have held back the region’s utilisation rates.

The country’s distillate stocks remain considerably below both their level a year ago and their five-year average. East Coast distillate stocks have regained some weight after slumping to record lows in late May. This has been reflected in improved availability in East Coast bunker ports like New York.

 

Caribbean and Latin America

VLSFO can be tight in Panama, especially in Cristobal where there are considerably fewer barges delivering fuel than on the Balboa side. A supplier has no availability in Cristobal for the coming week, but can supply in Balboa. Around seven days of lead time has been advised for stems of any grade in Balboa.

Supply prospects can be patchy off Trinidad as one supplier has a barge out for drydock and no availability. Another supplier has one barge in operation, which will head to a terminal to reload product in early August and could be unavailable for deliveries for the next 11-13 days.

High winds and swells are forecast off Trinidad between Saturday and Monday, possibly holding back bunker operations.

Prompt availability is good in Zona Comun and Brazilian ports. VLSFO can be delivered in Santos with three days of lead time. VLSFO and LSMGO can be delivered by a supplier in Zona Comun with 3-4 days or less of lead time.

Zona Comun has strong winds and swells forecast on Thursday and Friday, which could halt bunker deliveries. Bunkering has been suspended by rough weather at the anchorage on two occasions in the past week.

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 29 July, 2022

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Winding up

Singapore: High Court to hear Norvic Shipping Asia winding up application on 31 July

Application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to Government Gazette notice.

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RESIZED singapore high court

An application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to a Tuesday (21 July) notice on the Government Gazette.

It noted the winding up application is directed to be heard before the Judge sitting in the General Division of the High Court at 10am on 31 July.

Any creditor or contributory of the company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the winding up application may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose.

A copy of the winding up application will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the company requiring the copy of the winding up application by the solicitors of the applicant’s, Oon & Bazul LLC, on payment of the regulated charge for the same.

The Applicant’s address is Hiridostraat 5, Gebouw Prismatrium, 1101CW Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The Applicant’s solicitors are Oon & Bazul LLC of 103 Penang Rd, #04-04/05/06 Singapore 238467. 

Queries on the winding up application may be directed to the following email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected].

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.

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World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

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HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

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