Business

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Low sulphur availability normal in major US ports; Vancouver tugboat strike, but limited bunkering impact; prompt supplies tight in Panama.

Published

4 years ago

September 9, 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:

8 September 2022

Low sulphur availability normal in major US ports
Vancouver tugboat strike, but limited bunkering impact
Prompt supplies tight in Panama

North America

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO grades are readily available in the Houston area and off the US Gulf Coast. Availability of both grades is said to be tight for prompt delivery dates in Beaumont and Bolivar Roads.

A supplier is unable to commit to prompt deliveries in Beaumont due to a tight barge schedule, but can offer for delivery in Bolivar Roads with around six days of lead times, sources say. Another supplier in Bolivar Roads is fully booked for prompt dates.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal at the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA). Two suppliers can offer both grades for prompt dates, while another awaits resupply cargoes set to arrive in the coming days, sources say.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in New York and two suppliers can offer deliveries for prompt dates.

All grades remain tight for very prompt dates in Long Beach and Los Angeles ports on the US West Coast. A supplier is hesitant to commit to supply VLSFO and LSMGO on prompt dates, while another requires 7-8 days of lead times.

Suppliers’ earliest HSFO delivery dates are mostly subject to enquiry across US Gulf Coast and West Coast ports, sources say.

LSMGO availability is good in Canada’s Quebec City and a supplier can supply stems at berth for prompt dates.

Bunker operations continue to run in Vancouver despite strike action led by the Canadian Merchant Service Guild (CMSG). The strike that began on 25 August has brought nearly 30 tugboats operated by Canadian maritime firm Seaspan to a standstill.

The Chamber of Shipping, which represents the marine industry on Canada’s west coast, said that among port operations in Vancouver, bunkering has been the least impacted by the tugboat strike. Another source said that bunkering was initially delayed while some suppliers continued to deliver stems as scheduled.

Caribbean and Latin America

Prompt availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is tight in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal. One supplier requires 8-9 days of lead time to supply both grades, while another has a shorter lead time 6-7 days.

HSFO supply remains tight in Panama. A supplier requires at least 10 days of lead time, but is unable to guarantee deliveries upon arrival, sources say.

VLSFO supply has improved off Trinidad and its ports as a supplier received resupply with a VLSFO cargo on 3 September. Recommended lead times are about 3-4 days, while some can offer deliveries for prompter dates.

VLSFO and LSMGO is more readily available for prompt dates in Colombia’s Cartagena and Santa Marta. Bunker demand has been good in recent weeks in both ports.

Sources say that demand typically increases towards the end of the year in Colombian ports. Going forward, VLSFO supply could be affected in Cartagena and Santa Marta as a local refinery is unable to match production with demand because of obsolete machinery, a trader says.

VLSFO is generally tight for prompt dates in Brazil’s Rio Grande. Recommended lead times are about nine days in Rio Grande, while Rio de Janeiro has a shorter lead time of 4-7 days.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is tight for very prompt dates in Zona Comun. Some suppliers can offer deliveries with five days of lead times.

Prompt VLSFO supplies are available in Argentina’s Bahia Blanca.

By Nithin Chandran

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 8 September 2022

Legal

Shell Singapore charged over Pulau Bukom oil leaks, reporting delays

Shell faces four charges under Singapore’s Prevention of Pollution of the Sea Act over two 2024 oil discharge incidents at its Pulau Bukom facility.

Published

23 hours ago

September 25, 2026

Admin

2 MPA craft (left) supporting Shell craft in the clean up operations of the oil sheens taken on 28 Dec 9am

Shell Singapore has been charged over two incidents in 2024 involving oily mixtures discharged into Singapore waters from its facilities at Pulau Bukom, according to media reports on Tuesday (22 September).

The company faces four charges under the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea Act, including allegations that it failed to report the discharges to the port master immediately.

The first incident occurred on 20 October 2024, when approximately 40 metric tonnes (mt) of oily mixture was discharged through a hole in a pipeline at the Shell Singapore Energy and Chemicals Park at about 8am.

Shell is accused of reporting the incident to the port master at about 12.55pm, several hours after the discharge occurred.

The second incident took place between 26 and 28 December 2024. An estimated 485kg to 956kg of oil mixture was discharged into Singapore waters from the same facility.

Shell is accused of failing to report the incident immediately, with notification to the port master made at about 11.50am on 26 December 2024, according to the charges.

Singapore’s pollution-prevention regulations require occupiers of such facilities to report oil or oily-mixture discharges into Singapore waters “without delay and to the fullest extent possible”.

Shell’s representative requested an eight-week adjournment at the 22 September hearing, citing the need to obtain internal instructions, appoint counsel and locate historical records. The company said the business associated with the incidents had been divested in 2025.

The case was adjourned to October. Shell is also facing prosecution by Singapore’s National Environment Agency over the same incidents.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 25 September, 2026

Incident

MPA probes Singapore Strait collision involving fishing vessel, bulk carrier

MPA says there were no reported injuries among the crew of either vessel in the incident involving China-registered fishing vessel “Lu Qing Yuan Yu” and Panama-registered bulk carrier “First Margaux” .

Published

23 hours ago

September 25, 2026

Admin

Panama-registered bulk carrier “First Margaux”

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Tuesday (22 September) said it is investigating the incident involving the China-registered fishing vessel Lu Qing Yuan Yu and the Panama-registered bulk carrier First Margaux in the Singapore Strait on 17 September.

MPA said there were no reported injuries among the crew of either vessel or pollution arising from the incident and navigational traffic was not affected.

Videos circulating on social media showed the bulk carrier colliding with the fishing vessel.

“The fishing vessel took on water during the incident but remained afloat and stable, with the crew taking measures to manage the situation onboard,” MPA said.

The vessel was subsequently towed to Raffles Reserved Anchorage for assessment.

Essential crew remained onboard to support the tow, while the Singapore Civil Defence Force supported the transfer of other crew to shore.

MPA added it also issued navigational safety broadcasts to keep other vessels clear of the tow and escorted the vessel into port with a MPA craft.

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Arnold Pohen
Published: 25 September, 2026

Mass Flowmeter

TFG Marine deploys first MFM-equipped bunker barge in Jamaica

Bunker barge “Kingston Trader” is currently on its way to Jamaica following the successful installation of a Coriolis mass flow meter (MFM) system, certified to ISO 22192.

Published

23 hours ago

September 25, 2026

Admin

TFG Marine deploys first MFM-equipped bunker barge in Jamaica

Global marine fuel supply and procurement firm TFG Marine on Thursday (24 September) said its bunker barge Kingston Trader is currently on its way to Jamaica following the successful installation of a Coriolis mass flow meter (MFM) system, certified to ISO 22192.

The company said the latest installation brings the proportion of TFG Marine’s fleet equipped with MFMs to approximately 88%, marking another step in the continued rollout of this technology across its global bunkering operations.

“The barge will operate in Jamaica through our local partnership with Scott Petroleum, becoming the first bunkering vessel in the region equipped with this technology and bringing greater accuracy, transparency and assurance to fuel measurement for customers across the Caribbean,” TFG Marine said in a social media post.

“Together with Scott Petroleum, we look forward to working collaboratively with the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, the The Port Authority of Jamaica, Petrojam Limited and other stakeholders to share our experience of MFM technology, explore its wider benefits and support the continued development of bunkering standards across the region.”

Manifold Times previously reported TFG Marine continuing to expand MFM technology across its US Gulf Coast bunker fleet with Buffalo B414 and Buffalo B304 being fitted with the equipment.

Last year, TFG Marine announced it reached a key milestone in its global digitalisation programme with the installation of an ISO 22192-compliant MFM on the Buffalo 404, a barge on time charter from American bunker barge company Buffalo Marine Service Inc.

The installation was part of TFG Marine’s wider strategy to equip close to 90% of its global bunkering fleet with MFMs by 2026 as a commitment towards improving data integrity, streamlining operations and strengthening trust in marine fuel transactions.

Photo credit: TFG Marine
Published: 25 September, 2026