Bunker Fuel

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (12 March 2026)

Bunker operations in GOLA suspended amid rough weather; prompt supply tight in Panama as demand surges; VLSFO supply tight in Santos.

Published

3 months ago

March 13, 2026

Admin

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:

Bunker operations in GOLA suspended amid rough weather
Prompt supply tight in Panama as demand surges
VLSFO supply tight in Santos

North America

Bunker demand in Houston has been decent, but weather disruptions have made it difficult for suppliers to keep up with delivery schedules over the past week.

Suppliers are currently recommending lead times of around a week or more across most ports, as prompt deliveries have become risky due to a growing backlog of vessels, a trader tells ENGINE.

In Houston, HSFO requires around 8-10 days of lead time. VLSFO and LSMGO have comparatively better availability, with lead times of 7–10 days, a source said.

Fog season continues to disrupt bunkering operations in Houston and the US Gulf region, with reduced visibility and lightning storms affecting vessel movements.

Port authorities in the region have periodically called for channel closures, causing operational delays. Currently, the port of Houston is open to both inbound and outbound traffic and deliveries are underway.

However, bunkering operations have been suspended at the nearby Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) anchorage due to high seas and strong wind gusts.

Operations are expected to resume later this afternoon local time, with delays likely to persist until tomorrow, a trader tells ENGINE.

Prices have been moving higher across global bunker markets in recent days. A trader said the increases have not significantly impacted availability or bunker demand in the Americas.

Prices are increasing across the market, so they are not causing major issues. Problems usually arise if vessels fall behind schedule or need to suddenly change their fuel quantities, a bunker trader said.

On the US East Coast, the port of New York is also seeing price increases, particularly for LSMGO. Prompt availability for all fuel grades is tight.

Suppliers are recommending lead times of 7–8 days for HSFO and VLSFO, while LSMGO requires 4–6 days.

A small craft advisory is currently in effect in New York Harbor, limiting the movement of smaller vessels such as barges and tugboats due to strong wind gusts.

On the US West Coast, Los Angeles and Long Beach have normal availability, with most suppliers able to deliver all three fuel grades within 7–8 days.

Container traffic is expected to remain steady, with 16 container ship arrivals forecast for next week, unchanged from this week, according to the ports’ vessel tracker Signal.

In Canada’s Vancouver, HSFO lead times are around 5–7 days. VLSFO and LSMGO are available with lead times of 6–8 days, a source said.

Latin America and the Caribbean

In Panama, bunker demand has increased over the past few weeks. Prompt supply at the ports of Balboa and Cristobal is currently tight across all three conventional fuel grades, with lead times of at least 5–6 days.

In Colombia, VLSFO and LSMGO can be delivered within 3–4 days. At ports where HSFO is available, such as Santa Marta and Barranquilla, the earliest delivery dates are around three days.

In Brazil, VLSFO availability is tight in Santos, with lead times of at least a week. LSMGO availability is comparatively better and requires around 5-6 days, a source said.

In Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, Belém, Salvador and Vila do Conde, availability is normal for both grades, with lead times of about 4–5 days this week.

Availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO is tight at OPL Sepetiba, and only firm quotes are being entertained, a trader told ENGINE.

Paranaguá has normal VLSFO availability with lead times of 4–5 days, while LSMGO is available only under prior consultation, a trader told ENGINE.

In Itaqui, the earliest delivery date for VLSFO is 1–2 days. LSMGO is currently unavailable at the port.

In St. Eustatius, strong wind gusts may cause disruptions until 15 March, which could delay anchorage deliveries.

In Argentina’s Zona Comun, bunker deliveries are ongoing, but disruptions are possible between 12–16 March due to strong winds near the anchorage.

Lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO at the anchorage are currently around 7–10 days.

By Gautamee Hazarika

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 13 March, 2026

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Biofuel

BHP and GCMD trial multi-feedstock B100 bio bunker fuel on bulk carrier

Bio-blend in the BHP and GCMD pilot is being used on a BHP-chartered bulk carrier “Berge Lyngor”, which was bunkered in Singapore in early May.

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BHP and GCMD trial multi-feedstock B100 bio bunker fuel on bulk carrier

BHP and the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) on Wednesday (3 June) said they have blended biofuels from two distinct feedstocks—used cooking oil and waste animal fats —and introduced the lower-emissions marine fuel into a BHP-chartered bulk carrier as part of a pilot project.

The bio-blend in the BHP and GCMD pilot is being used on a BHP-chartered bulk carrier Berge Lyngor, owned and operated by Berge Bulk, transporting BHP iron ore from Western Australia to China. When run on bio-blend, the vessel has the potential to reduce well-to-wake greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 79 per cent per voyage compared to sailing on very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO).

The vessel bunkered in Singapore in early May with a B100 bio-blend comprising 50 percent tallow-derived biodiesel, sourced and supplied by HAMR Energy, and 50 per cent used cooking oil (UCOME) supplied by Mitsui & Co Energy Trading Singapore (METS).

Mitsui also blended the fuel and Dan-Bunkering coordinated and executed the bunkering operation, which was performed by Global Energy’s barge MT Maple.

The BHP and GCMD pilot will assess how biofuels from multiple feedstocks can be blended, handled, and introduced under real-world operating conditions using existing used cooking oil bunkering infrastructure.

At the same time, insights from this pilot will help identify solutions to challenges related to fuel quality, handling, traceability, and onboard vessel performance.

Biofuels for global shipping today rely heavily on used cooking oil – a feedstock whose availability is approaching its projected limits. Biofuel from waste animal fats presents a promising option to expand the supply of lower-emissions marine fuels.

The outcomes of the pilot are expected to shed light on the practical steps to integrate biofuel blends from different feedstocks into existing supply chains. The diversity of biofuels will provide shipowners and operators with greater flexibility to optimise fuel procurement based on cost, availability, and lifecycle emissions performance.

Biofuels derived from different feedstocks can exhibit varying properties that may impact operations, including potential corrosion from oxidation, fuel system clogging caused by wax formation, which this pilot aims to assess.

The pilot will trace and verify the biofuel blend’s integrity aimed at bolstering confidence in emissions reductions reporting. The pilot will also provide insights into how robust tracing can support future marine fuel supply chains where biofuels from multiple feedstocks with varying lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions footprints are blended together.

This project is co-funded by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore under the Maritime Innovation and Technology Fund (MINT).

Photo credit: Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation
Published: 3 June, 2026

Biofuel

NYK starts one-year B100 bio bunker fuel trial on car carrier

In this trial, NYK will operate a car carrier continuously on B100 for one year to evaluate the impact on engines, fuel supply systems, and operational practices.

Published

17 hours ago

June 3, 2026

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NYK starts one-year B100 bio bunker fuel trial on car carrier

Japanese shipping firm NYK on Tuesday (2 June) said it has commenced a one-year long-term trial involving the continuous use of 100% biofuel (B100) on an NYK-operated car carrier.

In this trial, NYK will operate a car carrier continuously on B100 for one year to evaluate the impact on engines, fuel supply systems, and operational practices. High-purity biofuels such as B100 are known to be susceptible to degradation from oxygen, light, and heat, raising concerns about the stability of such fuels during long-term use.

In this trial, the biofuel primarily comprises FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) derived from used cooking oil and similar feedstocks.

The initiative is designed to evaluate the fuel’s effects on the vessel’s equipment and verify operational safety under real-world conditions.

Through this effort, NYK seeks to accumulate technical expertise that will support the broader use of high-purity biofuels and further accelerate efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

NYK has been advancing the use of biofuels through various initiatives. In 2024, the company conducted a trial using biofuel blend B24 and subsequently expanded practical usage to B30. However, the company said there remains limited global experience with the long-term continuous use of B100.

“By collecting long-term operational data through this trial, NYK aims to accumulate valuable technical insights to support both the safe operation of vessels and the wider adoption of high-purity biofuels,” it said.

Photo credit: NYK
Published: 3 June, 2026

Ammonia

AM Green plans to build green ammonia plant at Indian port

Initiative also includes development of green ammonia handling, storage and bunkering infrastructure, pilot bunkering operations, safety procedures and training programmes, says VOC Port Authority.

Published

17 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Admin

VO Chidambaranar (VOC) Port Authority on Friday (29 May) said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s ammonia producer AM Green Ammonia to collaborate in the development of a green ammonia production plant.

The plant will have a capacity of one million tonnes per annum (MTPA) at Tuticorin.

The initiative also includes development of green ammonia handling, storage and bunkering infrastructure, pilot bunkering operations, safety procedures and training programmes.

The project is expected to support the development of green fuel corridors connecting VOC Port with major ports in Europe and Asia, thereby strengthening India’s position in the global green fuels value chain.

VOC Port also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bureau Veritas (India) Pvt. Ltd., to collaborate on Green Port certification, emissions accounting, ESG reporting, safety validation, development of green bunkering practices, and establishment of a Centre of Excellence for green fuels and sustainability.

The port also plans for an upcoming 750 m³ green methanol bunkering facility.

Photo credit: Naveed Ahmed on Unsplash
Published: 3 June, 2026