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:

• Prompt availability good in New York
• Rough weather in Houston causes delays
• High wind gusts hit bunkering in Zona Comun

North America

Bunker fuel availability in Houston remains tight across all grades. High winds over the last few days have created some backlogs by delaying bunker deliveries in the port. The situation is expected to remain the like this until 21 January.

An "Arctic Front will impact Houston area starting Saturday morning with high winds / cold temps [temperatures] and possible freeze," a source says. The pumping rates on barges are likely to be much lower than normal due to cold temperatures, the source adds.

There are enough supply volumes to go around in the port. That is not really the issue, a source says, the issue is more to get into suppliers' delivery schedules and for stems to be delivered without weather delays.

Bunker operations in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) could be disrupted by high wind gusts on and off until 20 January, with deliveries happening on a case-by-case basis. Operations are expected to resume fully between 16-18 January and then be suspended on 19 January, a source says.

On the East Coast, availability for VLSFO and LSMGO is good in New York, but bunker operations may face disruptions this week due to high wind gusts, causing potential delays in deliveries, a source said. Tugs are kept on standby for urgent requirements.

Last week, shipping company A.P. Moller-Maersk had issued an advisory to its customers stating that the conditional agreement on US wages is set to expire on 15 January, possibly leading to a coast-wide strike on 16 January, if no agreement was reached by that date.

To clarify, bunker suppliers across US East Coast and Gulf Coast ports have not reported any disruptions from a workers' strike, and deliveries are underway, according to multiple sources.

Prompt bunker availability has improved in Los Angeles and Long Beach in January, with suppliers advising lead times of less than seven days for all fuel grades.

Caribbean and Latin America

Suppliers have seen strong demand in the Panamanian ports of Balboa and Cristobal, amid tight availability across most fuel grades. Suppliers require lead times of more than seven days to secure stems.

Suppliers in the Colombian ports of Santa Marta, Barranquilla and Cartagena have seen good demand, and tighter availability. January is the month with the highest demand, a source says.

Bunker operations at Argentina’s Zona Común anchorage may face some disruptions due to bad weather conditions and strong wind gusts between 17-19 January. Prompt VLSFO availability is tight at the anchorage, with lead times of at least seven days advised, a source said.

In Bahía Blanca, supply capacity has been reduced because of low barge availability since December. Bahía Blanca is a major wheat export hub.

Meanwhile, Brazilian ports reported strong demand in January, with ample availability across most fuel grades.

By Aparupa Mazumder

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 17 January, 2025

The following bunker report has been provided by freight market information provider Baltic Exchange for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

Note:

All values are in US$/metric ton, all-in (invoice price), delivered on board
Delivery in 7-10 days
ISO 8217:2010
IFO 380 3.5% Sulphur
IFO 380 0.5% Sulphur
DMA 0.1% Sulphur

Rotterdam – Waalhaven – Maasvlakte range
Houston – Houston Harbor
Singapore – Anchorage, under SBA Scheme
Fujairah – Offshore Anchorage Area

Submitted weekly at Close of Business UK time, on Tuesday & Thursdays

Panellists:
Island Oil Limited, Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Monjasa A/S, KPI OceanConnect

Photo credit and source: Baltic Exchange
Published: 17 January, 2025

Sales of marine fuel at Singapore port decreased by 5.2% on year in December 2024, according to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) data.

In total, 4.79 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,790,030 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in December, a drop from 5.05 million mt (5,050,640 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2023.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in December (against on year) recorded respectively 1.88 million mt (+3.9% from 1.81 million mt), 2.43 million mt (-14.4% from 2.84 million mt), zero (+100% from zero), 3,400 mt (-86.3% from 24,800 mt) and zero (from zero).

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in December (against on year) recorded respectively 12,000 (+100% from zero), 94,100 mt (+62.2% from 58,000 mt), zero (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from zero).

LNG and methanol sales were posted respectively at 48,300 mt (+419.4% from 9,300) and zero (from zero).

Articles on Singapore bunker volumes for 2024:

Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales gain by 4.6% on year in November 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales gain by 10.8% on year in October 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales continue to increase by 2.8% on year in September 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 7.2% on year in August 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales up by 3.3% on year in July 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales gain 8.7% in June 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 6.7% in May 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 0.6% on year in April 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 6.4% on year in March 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales up by 18.8% on year in February 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales up by 12.1% on year in January 2024

A complete series of articles on Singapore bunker volumes by Manifold Times in 2023 can be found below:

Related: Singapore achieves milestone with record year for bunker sales in 2023
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales fell 2.5% on year in November 2023
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 3.5% on year in October 2023
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 7.7% on year in September 2023
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales continue upward trend, rose by 3.4% on year in August 2023
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales continue upward trend, rose by 9.7% on year in July 2023
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales continue to increase by 4.7% on year in June 2023
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 11.8% on year in May 2023
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales continue upward trend, rose by 13.4% on year in April
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales continue upward trend, rose by 10.8% on year in March
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales continue upward trend, up 8.3% on year in February
Related: Singapore’s bunker sales kickstarts well with 8.6% increase on year in January

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 16 January, 2024