LNG Bunkering

Argus Media: Firms bet on US LNG bunkering growth

Infrastructure in US will also be key in creating a worldwide supply chain, and ‘by 2032 or so, the North American market will be the second-largest bunker market after Asia’, says Matt Jackson of Crowley.

Published

2 years ago

September 18, 2024

Admin

Demand for LNG as a marine fuel in the US and Central America is set to grow sharply in the coming years, as the global LNG-fuelled fleet expands rapidly and with firms keen to lock in capacity as new environmental standards on maritime emissions take effect.

17 September 2024

LNG bunkering capacity and infrastructure — onshore terminals, and LNG bunkering barges and bunkering vessels (LNGBVs) — in the US and Central America has expanded rapidly in recent years. And the global LNG-fuelled fleet is projected to expand to 1,154 vessels by 2033 from around 675 presently, according to DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight platform.

The US Gulf coast and east coast are already home to several LNG bunkering facilities, utilising onshore terminals, bunkering barges and LNGBVs. Access to LNG as a marine fuel will be critical as the fleet grows, with Matt Jackson, vice-president of US firm Crowley’s advanced energy division, telling Argus that North America needs up to 15-20 LNGBVs over the next 10 years to meet demand. Crowley recently launched the 12,000m³ Progress LNG bunkering barge, which uses LNG supply from the Elba Island facility and is under charter with Shell; Jackson said car carriers and containerships are expected to be the Progress‘ primary users.

US needed for global LNG bunker network

Infrastructure in the US will also be key in creating a worldwide supply chain, and “by 2032 or so, the North American market will be the second-largest bunker market after Asia”, Jackson said.

More LNG bunkering assets will be required in the US to meet that demand, he added.

Jonathan Cook, chief executive at US firm Pilot LNG, which has two LNG bunkering projects in the region — the Galveston LNG Bunker Port (GLBP) in Texas and the Salina Cruz LNG terminal in Mexico — has a similar view on growth in the Americas. The US is attractive as a hub because its Henry Hub spot price is typically a lot less volatile than the Dutch TTF gas hub, Cook said, providing customers with more certainty over long-term price movements. Pilot is looking to price supply from GLBP, which is being built with US firm Seapath, and from Salina Cruz against the Henry Hub, he said.

This low-cost gas, coupled with predictable fixed costs for terminal usage and barge costs, also makes additional expenditure to ensure compliance with the US Jones’ Act less of a problem, he added. Crowley’s Jackson has a similar view, as US gas is some of the most affordable in the world, and — despite the Jones Act — pricing stability can draw in major companies, he added.

The Central American market is key in developing a network, with more LNG-powered vessels poised to pass through the Panama Canal.

Pilot LNG’s Salina Cruz terminal on Mexico’s Pacific coast will supply LNG to demand hubs around Central America, including Panama, Cook said. Salina Cruz is due to be fed by Mexican gas — mostly associated gas — so the Jones Act will not be a consideration and the project will help to reduce flaring, Pilot added.

Development of the US and Central American LNG bunkering market will be key in encouraging uptake of the fuel globally, with more supply points required to support the fleet as corporations seek to decarbonise. Hurdles such as the Jones Act do impose large costs on firms, but the lower cost of gas and availability of LNG in the region mean that many firms say they believe LNG bunkering demand will grow sharply in the region.

By Eleanor Holbrook

Photo credit and source: Argus Media
Published: 18 September, 2024

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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17 hours ago

July 21, 2026

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post.

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024.

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

LNG Bunkering

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure.

Published

18 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) recently signed a contract with Sinopec (Beijing) Clean Energy Co., Ltd. to build a 12,000-cubic metre (m3) LNG bunkering vessel, according to Chinese maritime media.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will support Sinopec’s efforts to expand its presence in the marine clean energy sector.

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s LNG bunkering infrastructure.

With this signing , CIMC Pacific Offshore Engineering’s LNG bunkering vessel orderbook is further strengthened, maintaining its leading position in the global market for small and medium-sized LNG bunkering vessels.

The contract also marked another milestone for CIMC SOE, which has seen a sharp increase in orders and business performance this year amid a surge in domestic LNG vessel demand.

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

Alternative Fuels

ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: LSMGO surges to greater premium over biofuel

B100 discount to LSMGO widens to $541/mt in Rotterdam; Singapore’s B100 drops to $106/mt below LSMGO; Rotterdam LBM at $639-833/mt discounts to LSMGO.

Published

18 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: LSMGO surges to greater premium over biofuel

Once a week, bunker intelligence platform ENGINE will publish a snapshot of alternative and conventional bunker fuel prices in the world’s two biggest bunkering hubs. The following is the latest snapshot:

20 July 2026

B100 discount to LSMGO widens to $541/mt in Rotterdam
Singapore’s B100 drops to $106/mt below LSMGO
Rotterdam LBM at $639-833/mt discounts to LSMGO

B100’s premium over HSFO in Rotterdam has narrowed by $50/mt over the past week to $64/mt, while its discount to VLSFO has widened by $83/mt to $105/mt.

B100 has become far more competitive against LSMGO in Rotterdam, with its discount widening by $180/mt over the past week to $541/mt, as a surge in conventional fuel prices left B100 broadly unchanged by comparison.

B100’s price has risen by $109/mt in Singapore, but its discount to LSMGO has still widened by $102/mt to $106/mt, as LSMGO surged by an even greater $211/mt.

Rotterdam’s LNG premium over VLSFO has widened by $35/mt to $201/mt for vessels with Otto medium speed (Otto MS) engines. For vessels with diesel slow speed (diesel SS) engines, LNG has flipped to a $15/mt premium over VLSFO, from a $22/mt discount the prior week.

Liquefied biomethane (LBM) discounts to VLSFO in Rotterdam have narrowed by $50-52/mt to $203-396/mt over the past week. Against LSMGO, LBM discounts have widened by $45-47/mt to $639-833/mt, depending on engine type.

In Singapore, LNG is now $42/mt cheaper than LSMGO for vessels with Otto MS engines, and $134/mt cheaper for vessels with diesel SS engines.

ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: LSMGO surges to greater premium over biofuel

Liquid fuels

HSFO and VLSFO prices in Rotterdam have jumped by $66/mt and $99/mt respectively over the past week, while LSMGO has surged by an even steeper $196/mt. A $9.69/bbl ($71/mt) rise in front-month ICE Brent futures, to $87.94/bbl ($645/mt), drove bunker prices sharply higher across the board.

Bunker fuel availability is tight for prompt delivery dates in the ARA ports, with buyers advised to enquire about stems between 5-7 days ahead to get good coverage, a trader said.

Rotterdam’s B100 price has risen by $16/mt over the past week. Dutch ZRE A ticket prices were unchanged at €107.50/mtCO2e.

Singapore’s HSFO and VLSFO prices have risen by $130/mt and $132/mt respectively, while its LSMGO price has gained an even steeper $211/mt over the past week.

VLSFO availability in Singapore has been tight, with several suppliers reporting low stock levels. Recommended lead times have widened from 13–17 days last week to 14–19 days now.

Liquid gases

Rotterdam’s LNG prices have surged by $134-136/mt over the past week, while its LBM prices have climbed by $149-151/mt.

LBM discounts to LNG in Rotterdam have narrowed by $15/mt to $404-411/mt.

Singapore’s LNG bunker benchmarks have surged by $196-197/mt over the past week.

By Erik Hoffmann

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 21 July, 2026