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ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Prompt supply remains tight in Houston; sluggish demand reported in Los Angeles; prompt VLSFO and LSMGO tight in 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:

25 May, 2023

  • Prompt supply remains tight in Houston
  • Sluggish demand reported in Los Angeles
  • Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO tight in Zona Comun

 

North America

Prompt availability of LSMGO and VLSFO is tight in Houston. Most suppliers in Houston can supply fuel grades for delivery dates in the first and second week of June.

HSFO availability is also tight in Houston, partly due to fewer suppliers supplying the grade.

Securing prompt LSMGO and VLSFO stems in Bolivar Roads can be difficult, with few suppliers able to supply them for delivery dates in the second week of June.

In Beaumont, suppliers are able to deliver LSMGO and VLSFO stems with a shorter lead time of 3-5 days.

Bunkering has been running smoothly in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) amid calmer weather conditions. Most suppliers are able to accommodate VLSFO and LSMGO stems with 5-6 days of lead time.

HSFO availability is said to be tight for prompt delivery dates in GOLA, with only one supplier able to supply stems for prompt dates. The supplier is also willing to offer discounted rates for these deliveries as it rushes to clear the remaining stock available in the barge before it heads for maintenance.

Overall bunker demand has slowed at the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA). VLSFO and LSMGO availability is said to be normal for prompt dates.

The West Coast ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles have been grappling with sluggish demand. VLSFO and LSMGO availability is holding better in both ports. One supplier can deliver stems with a lead time of 4-5 days in Los Angeles. While a longer lead time of 10-12 days is generally recommended in Long Beach.

Availability of LSMGO for prompt dates is normal in the East Coast port of New York. Suppliers can supply LSMGO stems within 2-3 days.

 

Caribbean and Latin America

LSMGO and VLSFO availability are normal for prompt dates in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal. In Balboa, many buyers are looking to book bunkers for delivery dates stretching to July. Availability is said to be much tighter in Cristobal.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight in Jamaica’s Kingston. Suppliers are able to deliver stems with a longer lead time of 15-16 days.

Bunker supplier VOOIL has recently started LSMGO and VLSFO supply at the Peruvian ports of Pisco, San Nicolas and Matarani.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO stems is getting tighter for prompt dates in Zona Comun. One supplier can deliver stems with a lead time of seven days. Two other suppliers can supply stems for delivery dates after 1 June.

High winds are forecast at Zona Comun between Friday and Saturday evening, which could trigger bunker suspension or delays.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal for prompt dates in the Brazilian ports of Rio Grande and Santos. Demand for LSMGO has also been good at these ports as they have been pricing the grade at huge discounts of over $300/mt to Zona Comun.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 26 May, 2023

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Technology

Singapore: MPA working with industry on next phase of digital bunkering, says Deputy CE

‘We are now working with industry on the next phase, trialling capabilities to further strengthen the integrity and quality of bunker data shared between stakeholders and MPA,’ says David Foo.

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Secure systems, trusted data and reliable digital services are becoming as important to maritime operations as physical infrastructure, said Mr David Foo, Deputy Chief Executive (Operations & Technology), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), on Thursday (10 September). 

In his opening keynote speech at APPEC 2026 Shipping And Bunker Conference, Foo said OCEANS-X, Digital Bunkering and the Maritime Digital Twin are enabling trusted data sharing, better operational planning and the testing of new digital solutions.

Foo said since 2025, digital bunkering has strengthened the efficiency and transparency of bunker operations. 

“We are now working with industry on the next phase, trialling capabilities to further strengthen the integrity and quality of bunker data shared between stakeholders and MPA.” he said.

He also said MPA is taking a forward-looking approach to the energy transition.

“Over the coming decades, we are likely to see the most diverse marine fuel mix in shipping’s history. There may not be a single fuel of the future.”

“Our role as a global bunkering hub is therefore not to determine which fuel will prevail. Our role is to ensure that whichever fuels the industry adopts, Singapore is ready – with the infrastructure, standards and operational capabilities to support them.”

Foo said MPA is making concrete progress across the major alternative fuel pathways with the issuance of methanol bunkering licences and the commencement of methanol bunkering operations. 

“For ammonia, we are developing the regulatory and operational frameworks needed to support future commercial deployment. We are also facilitating greater use of sustainable biofuels,” he said.

At the same time, MPA continues to expand its LNG bunkering ecosystem, with additional licences issued this year. 

“This will broaden supply options as more LNG-fuelled vessels enter the global fleet. We have also just updated our LNG standards, while maintaining the high standards of safety and reliability that underpin Singapore’s reputation as a trusted bunkering hub,” Foo added.

Related: MPA Chief Executive: Port of Singapore begins digital bunkering initiative today
Related: Singapore: Golden Island, GET, and PetroChina to receive methanol bunkering licences
Related: Singapore: Equatorial Marine Fuel among eight selected for new LNG bunkering licences
Related: Singapore strengthens LNG bunkering framework with new SS 727 standard

 

Photo credit: Swapnil Bapat on Unsplash
Published: 10 September, 2026

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Financial Result

Singapore-based Uni-Fuels H1 2026 net income jumps 1,415% to USD 1.4 million

Company delivered record first-half financial results, achieving its highest first-half revenue, gross profit, income from operations, net income and EBITDA since its inception.

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Uni-Fuels Holdings Limited (Uni-Fuels), a global provider of marine fuel solutions headquartered in Singapore, on Wednesday (9 September) announced its unaudited interim financial results for the first half of 2026, ending on 30 June.

The company delivered record first-half financial results, achieving its highest first-half revenue, gross profit, income from operations, net income and EBITDA since its inception.

The company’s net income increased 1,415% to USD 1.4 million for the first half of 2026, compared to USD 0.1 million in the corresponding period of 2025.

Revenue increased 72% year-over-year to USD 197.1 million, from USD 114.6 million in the corresponding period of 2025 while gross profit also increased 158% year-over-year to USD 5.3 million, from USD 2.1 million in the corresponding period of 2025.

Gross profit margin expanded to 2.7% in the first half of 2026, from 1.8% in the corresponding period of 2025, representing a 50% improvement. 

For its 2026 outlook, the company is raising its full-year 2026 revenue guidance to a range of USD 340 million to USD 360 million, from its previous guidance range of USD 320 million to USD 340 million, reflecting stronger-than-expected first-half performance and continued commercial momentum.

Koh Kuan Hua, Chief Executive Officer of Uni-Fuels, said: “Our first-half 2026 results demonstrate the strength of our commercial execution and the agility of our business model.” 

“As geopolitical developments and market volatility continued to influence global oil markets, we remained focused on delivering reliable supply solutions and value-added services to our customers. 

“Our ability to respond quickly to changing market dynamics while maintaining disciplined execution contributed to significant improvements in revenue, profitability and operating performance. 

“We believe this momentum positions us well for the remainder of the year, as reflected in our increased full-year 2026 revenue guidance of USD 340 million to USD 360 million.”

 

Photo credit: Uni-Fuels
Published: 10 September, 2026

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Incident

Peninsula confirms one fatality, crew member missing from bunker tanker “Hercules Star”

Firm says one member of the crew is missing following an incident whilst at anchorage off Dubai and a specialist team is working to locate them.

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bunker tanker Hercules Star

Marine fuels supplier Peninsula on Wednesday (9 September) confirmed that its bunker tanker Hercules Star was involved in an incident whilst at anchorage off Dubai.

“It is with deep sadness and regret that we confirm one fatality. Peninsula is in contact with their family and providing all the necessary support at this time,” the company said in a statement.

“In addition, one member of the crew is missing and a specialist team is working to locate them. All other crew members are accounted for.”

The company added it is working with all relevant parties to monitor developments.

“This is an ongoing incident and updates will be issued in due course when we have more details,” Peninsula added. 

According to a Reuters report citing preliminary assessments by maritime security sources, the vessel may have been struck by a drone.

The report also said the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) received a report of a vessel listing while at anchor about 24 nautical miles off the UAE’s Port Rashid, with the condition “possibly indicating water ingress following an attack from an unknown projectile”.

 

Photo credit: Peninsula
Published: 10 September, 2026

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