South Korean petroleum and refining company S-Oil on Wednesday (22 July) said it has started supplying B30 very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO), as the company seeks to support shipping’s decarbonisation efforts and growing demand for lower-carbon bunker fuels.

The company said its B30 VLSFO contains 30% sustainable biofuel blended with conventional VLSFO and can be used without requiring modifications to existing vessels, enabling shipowners to comply more readily with emissions regulations from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the European Union (EU).

S-Oil said it has established an integrated operating system in the Ulsan region covering the entire value chain, from feedstock procurement and blending to supply. The system combines VLSFO produced at its Onsan refinery with biofuel production facilities and storage infrastructure in the Ulsan region, allowing the entire process to be carried out within a single logistics hub.

According to the company, the integrated supply chain reduces transportation requirements during production while improving supply efficiency and reliability.

S-Oil also highlighted Ulsan Port as a strategic location for marine biofuel supply, noting the port has strong demand for bio-bunker fuels, particularly from car carriers, enabling prompt and stable deliveries to key customers.

An S-Oil official stated: “In the bio-marine fuel market, not only product quality but also securing a stable supply of raw materials and an efficient supply system are important competitive advantages.

“Based on our existing bunkering business capabilities and the excellent supply infrastructure in the Onsan area, we plan to supply stable and competitive low-carbon fuel.”

Photo credit: S-Oil
Published: 23 July, 2026

Bunker fuel sales at Panama dropped by 11% in June 2026, according to the latest data from La Autoridad Maritima de Panama, also known as the Panama Maritime Authority (PMA).

Total bunker sales at Panama was 385,100 metric tonnes (mt) in June 2026, compared to sales of 431,147 mt during the similar period in 2025.

In June 2026, the Pacific side of Panama posted bunker sales of 311,400 mt; 185,483 mt of VLSFO, 94,997 mt of RMG 380, 2,722 mt for marine gas oil (MGO), and 28,198 mt of low sulphur marine gas oil (LSMGO) were delivered.

The similar region saw total marine sales of 349,996 mt a year before in June; with VLSFO sales at 206,144 mt, RMG 380 sales at 109,432 mt, MGO sales at 3,043 mt, and 31,377 mt of LSMGO being sold.

Panama’s Atlantic side, meanwhile, recorded total bunker fuel sales of 73,700 during June 2026; the figure comprised 62,169 mt of VLSFO, 382 mt of RMG 380, 3,039 mt of MGO, and 8,110 mt of LSMGO.

It saw total sales of 81,151 mt in June a year before; with VLSFO sales of 60,932 mt, RMG 380 sales of 8,335 mt, 2,935 mt of MGO, and LSMGO sales of 8,949 mt.

Photo credit: jhernandezb05 from Pixabay
Published: 23 July, 2026

The following article regarding Europe and Africa bunker fuel availability has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

• Lead times of 5-7 days recommended in ARA
• Fuel availability remains tight in the Gibraltar Strait
• Good demand but tight availability in Senegal’s Dakar

Northwest Europe

Bunker fuel availability is tight in the ARA for prompt supplies, with buyers advised to book stems around 5-7 days in advance to get delivery of any fuel grade, a trader said.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have increased 6% higher on average so far in July, compared to June’s monthly average, according to Insights Global data.

The ARA hub has imported only 109,000 b/d of fuel oil in July so far, a massive dip from June’s monthly average of 215,000 b/d, according to Vortexa cargo data. Most cargoes have come from Colombia (30%), the Caribbean Netherlands (26%) and Sweden (19%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have dropped by 4% in July, compared to June, according to the Insights Global data. Gasoil inventories have dropped to their lowest level in nearly four years.

The region has imported 99,000 b/d of gasoil in July so far, down significantly from 188,000 b/d imported in June, according to Vortexa data. Most of these shipments have come from Sweden (27%), the UK (22%) and France (14%).

Bunker availability is stable in Germany’s Hamburg, and all fuel grades can be delivered within five days, a trader told ENGINE.

Off Denmark’s Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, availability remains tight and fuel buyers are advised booking deliveries around 10 days ahead for any fuel grade, according to a trader.

Mediterranean

Fuel buyers looking to bunker in the Gibraltar Strait are recommended to book stems around 5-7 days ahead, a trader said.

There are 10 vessels awaiting bunkers in the port, and some suppliers are running around 4-6 hours behind schedule on deliveries, port agent MH Bland said.

In Barcelona, buyers are advised to book around a week ahead, a trader said.

Fuel availability is stable in Lisbon, where 3–5 days of notice is sufficient for all fuel grades, a supplier said.

In Las Palmas, buyers are advised to allow 7–10 days for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries, a trader told ENGINE.

Prompt fuel availability remains tight off Malta, with buyers advised 5–7 days of notice, a trader said.

Fuel availability is tight in Istanbul, where suppliers require 4–5 days of notice for all grades, a local supplier told ENGINE.

Africa

HSFO availability remains limited across most African ports, a trader told ENGINE.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight in Dakar, but bunker demand is good, a supplier said.

Prompt availability remains tight in Lome and off Walvis Bay, with buyers advised to book seven days ahead, a trader told ENGINE.

VLSFO deliveries at the Lagos anchorage requires 5–7 days of notice, a local supplier told ENGINE.

In Luanda, buyers are advised to book VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries 4–5 days ahead, a supplier said.

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight in Durban and off Algoa Bay, with buyers advised at least 5–7 days of notice, a trader said.

VLSFO availability remains tight in Nacala and Maputo, where suppliers recommend lead times of around 5–7 days, a trader said.

Bunker availability is tight in Port Louis, with buyers advised to book VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries seven days ahead, a trader said.

By Nachiket Tekawade

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 23 July, 2026