Bunker Fuel

ENGINE: Americas Fuel Availability Outlook (11 June 2026)

Tight prompt supply in Houston; Paranagua, Rio de Janeiro supply constrained; Punta Colorada targets higher throughput.

Published

2 months ago

June 12, 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:

Tight prompt supply in Houston
Paranagua, Rio de Janeiro supply constrained
Punta Colorada targets higher throughput

North America

In Houston, bunker demand has been steady over the past week, with prompt availability tight across all three conventional fuel grades. HSFO and VLSFO require lead times of 5–7 days, and LSMGO can be delivered by most suppliers within 4–5 days, a trader said.

At the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), operations are being conducted on a first-come, first-served basis and remain subject to weather conditions.

High seas are forecast for 14 June, which could impact bunker deliveries at the anchorage. Recommended lead times for all three conventional grades stand at 5–8 days this week.

In New York, bunker demand has softened this week, while variable fuel availability has resulted in unclear lead times, a trader said. HSFO and VLSFO are tight for prompt supply, with lead times of 6–8 days this week, while LSMGO is available within 3–5 days.

No backlog or bunker barge readiness issues have been reported. High wind gusts are forecast through 12 June, which could disrupt bunkering operations at the port.

The Atlantic hurricane season began on 1 June, though tropical cyclone risks across North America are currently low.

High pressure is expected to maintain stable conditions across the Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic this week, reducing the likelihood of weather-related disruptions to bunker operations.

On the US West Coast, fuel availability across all three conventional grades is normal at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Recommended lead times for HSFO, VLSFO, and LSMGO stand at 7–10 days this week.

Latin America and the Caribbean

In Panama, bunker demand is strong, and fuel prices continue to be high, a trader said.

Availability is good at both Balboa and Cristobal, with recommended lead times of 3-4 days for VLSFO and LSMGO. HSFO requires slightly longer lead times of 4-5 days.

High wind gusts forecast in Balboa on 12-13 June could disrupt bunker operations. Deliveries are being carried out on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to vessels holding confirmed Panama Canal transit slots.

In Colombia, the ports of Santa Marta, Cartagena and Barranquilla have good availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO, with the earliest delivery dates available in 3-4 days, a source said.

Across the Caribbean, the remnants of Tropical Storm Cristina are forecast to move into the Bay of Campeche later this week, bringing increased showers and thunderstorms.

While the system has a low chance of further development, a low-end tropical storm cannot be completely ruled out. Elsewhere, dry air and wind shear are expected to suppress tropical development across much of the Caribbean.

In Freeport, Bahamas, bunkering conditions remain stable with no weather-related disruptions expected. Cruise ships continue to receive operational priority, which may influence bunker scheduling, a trader tells ENGINE.

Further south, St. Eustatius is expected to experience high wind gusts from 10-14 June, which could affect bunkering operations.

Deliveries are conducted at the anchorage, while cruise ships receive priority. Bunker barge operations may face weather-related delays.

Offshore Trinidad, high wind gusts and rough seas are forecast through 13 June, posing a risk of disruptions to offshore bunkering operations.

Deliveries are conducted while underway, and bunker barge delays are possible due to adverse sea conditions, a source said.

In Brazil, bunker availability varies by port. Santos is experiencing congestion, with VLSFO and LSMGO available in 5-8 days, although shorter lead times may be possible depending on stem size and price premiums, a source said.

Availability is normal in Rio Grande, Belem, and Vila do Conde, where both grades can be supplied within 4-6 days.

In contrast, Paranagua is facing tight availability, with the earliest delivery date currently 15 June. Availability is also tight in Rio de Janeiro, where bookings are being done under prior consultation and lead times remain uncertain, a trader said.

Bunker deliveries in Argentina’s Zona Comun continue despite rough weather conditions at the anchorage, a source told ENGINE.

Dense fog forecast through 12 June could disrupt operations. Deliveries are being carried out on a first-come, first-served basis.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains good, with typical lead times of 5-7 days.

Meanwhile, a major supplier is increasing the planned throughput capacity of its new crude export terminal at Punta Colorada from 550,000 b/d to 700,000 b/d.

According to Antares Ship Agency, the decision reflects current market dynamics and growing interest in diversifying crude supply sources. The higher capacity will be achieved through increased pumping rates and enhanced onshore infrastructure.

Once operational, the terminal is expected to handle up to 128 vessels annually, with each lifting around 200,000 barrels.

By Gautamee Hazarika

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 12 June, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

Singapore: Equatorial Marine Fuel among eight selected for new LNG bunkering licences

Other recipients include Aramco Trading Singapore, ExxonMobil Asia Pacific, PetroChina International (Singapore), Shell Eastern Trading, Vitol Bunkers (S) and Sinopec Fuel Oil (Singapore).

Published

1 day ago

July 31, 2026

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Thursday (30 July) said it will issue eight new licences to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel in Singapore from 1 September.

MPA said the new licences will expand Singapore’s LNG bunkering capacity, strengthen the supporting ecosystem to meet growing demand for LNG bunkering services, and support Singapore’s continued development as a multi-fuel bunkering hub.

The licences will be awarded to Aramco Trading Singapore, Equatorial Marine Fuel Management Services, ExxonMobil Asia Pacific, PetroChina International (Singapore), Shell Eastern Trading, Sinopec Fuel Oil (Singapore), TotalEnergies Gas & Power Asia (TEGPA)-Sembcorp Fuels (Singapore) Joint Venture, and Vitol Bunkers (S).

“The eight successful applicants were selected following an evaluation of their supply capabilities, commercial plans, operational experience, and safety standards,” MPA said in a statement.

The evaluation also considered their capabilities to monitor and mitigate methane slip and support the supply of methane-based alternatives with lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, including liquefied bio-methane and e-methane.

The licences will be valid for five years, from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2031, subject to licensees continuing to meet the relevant licensing conditions. Licensees are required to provide end-to-end LNG bunkering services, including fuel supply, storage, cargo transfer and delivery to vessels.

The issuance of these licences concludes the Call for Applications launched on 14 January.

To further strengthen safe and reliable LNG bunkering operations, MPA and Enterprise Singapore, through the Singapore Standards Council, will upgrade the existing Technical Reference for LNG Bunkering (TR56) into a Singapore Standard (SS) in August 2026.

“The new SS will strengthen safety requirements, bunkering procedures, custody transfer and crew competencies, and serve as a common industry reference for LNG bunkering operations in Singapore,” MPA added.

“The SS will enhance Singapore’s LNG bunkering ecosystem and reinforce Singapore’s position as a trusted bunkering hub.”

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 31 July, 2026

Bunker Fuel

German firm IBT Bunkering & Trading establishes Singapore presence, adds second trading desk

‘Since 1976, we’ve traded bunkers out of Hamburg. Today, we’re opening our doors in Singapore — the world’s largest bunkering hub and the beating heart of marine fuel in Asia,’ says company.

Published

1 day ago

July 31, 2026

Admin

German firm IBT Bunkering & Trading establishes Singapore presence, adds second trading desk

Germany-headquartered marine fuels firm IBT Bunkering & Trading on Wednesday (29 July) announced that it is opening its doors in Singapore and will be running a trading desk in the city-state after trading bunkers out of Hamburg since 1976.

With this move, the company now has two strategic trading desks operating in Hamburg and Singapore.

“Since 1976, we’ve traded bunkers out of Hamburg. Today, we’re opening our doors in Singapore — the world’s largest bunkering hub and the beating heart of marine fuel in Asia,” the company said in a social media post.

“This isn’t a flag on a map. It’s a deliberate move to trade where the fuel flows: two strategic desks across two continents, one global network, covering west and east around the clock.

“50 years of bunkering expertise — now with boots on the ground in the Strait of Malacca.”

The company added that it will announce its Singapore team soon.

Photo credit: IBT Bunkering & Trading
Published: 31 July, 2026

Biofuel

Brazil launches public consultation on biofuel bunkering rules overhaul

Law firm Mayer Brown says Brazil’s ANP has launched a 45-day public consultation on proposed revisions to the country’s marine fuel specifications, paving the way for routine use of up to 100% biofuel.

Published

1 day ago

July 31, 2026

Admin

Law firm Mayer Brown on Tuesday (28 July) said Brazil’s National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) has launched a 45-day public consultation on proposed revisions to the country’s marine fuel specifications, paving the way for routine use of up to 100% biofuel (B100) in vessels while streamlining biofuel blending requirements:

On July 27, 2026, Brazil’s National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (“ANP”) published Public Consultation and Hearing Notice No. 15/2026, for the review of ANP Resolution No. 903/2022, which establishes the specifications for waterborne fuels marketed in Brazilian territory (marine diesel oil and marine fuel oil).

The purpose is to incorporate biofuels and renewable fuels into Brazilian waterborne transport, in the context of the energy transition and the International Maritime Organization’s (“IMO”) international decarbonization targets.

The proposal (i) aligns national specifications with ISO 8217/2024; and (ii) is encouraged by the progress of IMO discussions on carbon pricing and incentives for new fuels.

In terms of market context, operations involving the use of biofuels in Brazilian waterborne transport already exist, such that harmonizing national rules with ISO 8217 and the MARPOL Convention will standardize the regulatory treatment applicable to these operations.

The main changes proposed in the draft resolution are as follows.

The specification tables for waterborne fuels will be restructured, including classes for fuels containing biodiesel.
Limits and test methods from ISO 8217/2024 will be selectively incorporated, on a partial basis, in line with Brazilian market realities.
Biodiesel content of up to 100% (“B100”) for regular use in vessels (no longer as an exception), which could be sold directly to the end user.
Green diesel (“HVO”) and synthetic/GTL (Gas-to-Liquids) fuels will be treated as “drop-in” components, meaning chemically similar to fossil fuels and capable of replacing them without requiring engine or infrastructure adaptation.
Agents authorized to carry out biofuel blending will be defined, which eliminates the requirement for prior ANP authorization to use blends, replacing it with a simple notification to the Agency.
Quality control, document traceability, sampling, certification, and fuel identification rules will be improved, in line with the MARPOL Convention.
Prior experimental authorization from ANP will be provided for alternative fuels not covered by ISO 8217 (ethanol, methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen).
A prior authorization regime will be established for liquefied natural gas (“LNG”), without an experimental character, given the existence of well-established technical standards and the early stage of Brazil’s national LNG transport and supply infrastructure.

The public consultation will run for 45 days, from July 28 to September 10, 2026. On September 23, 2026, a public hearing will be held to discuss the matter with civil society and regulated agents.

Photo credit: Jeff Doria on Unsplash
Published: 31 July, 2026