Bunker Fuel

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (1 August 2024)

Prompt availability is tight in Houston; bad weather could impact Zona Comun bunkering; one bunker barge in Zona Comun resumes operation.

Published

8 months ago

August 2, 2024

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:

Prompt availability is tight in Houston
Bad weather could impact Zona Comun bunkering
One bunker barge in Zona Comun resumes operation

North America

Bunker fuel demand has slowed down in Houston this week, but availability of all fuel grades remains tight for prompt dates. Most suppliers are fully booked for both prompt dates and dates further out, while some can offer VLSFO and LSMGO stems with a lead time of 7-8 days in Houston.

Some buyers are considering other bunkering locations like the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) to lift bunkers because securing prompt stems is tougher in Houston. Demand has picked up in GOLA this week as suppliers can offer VLSFO and LSMGO stems with a short lead time of 1-3 days.

Prompt supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is also tight in Bolivar Roads. Bunker deliveries there are subject to weather conditions and the availability of anchorage space, a source says. One of the suppliers is unable to offer VLSFO for delivery dates this week as well as next week.

In Beaumont and Port Arthur, demand has been muted this week.

Prompt VLSFO availability at the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA) remains good. The grade can be secured with a lead time of 4-5 days. However, demand has been slow in NOLA this week when compared to demand in the previous weeks.

All grades are tight for prompt delivery dates in the West Coast ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Most suppliers require more than seven days of lead time to deliver VLSFO and LSMGO stems in both ports. Securing HSFO can be more difficult than the other two grades, a source says.

On the other hand, HSFO can be easily secured in San Francisco on the West Coast with a lead time of 5-6 days.

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO are available in the East Coast port of New York.

Demand has reduced this week in the Canadian East Coast ports of Montreal and Halifax, compared to very strong demand last week. Availability has improved in both locations, with suppliers now offering stems with a lead time of 5–6 days.

Caribbean and Latin America

Bunker fuel demand has been good in Panama's Balboa and Cristobal. Product availability is also good in both locations, with several suppliers able to supply all fuel grades with a lead time of 5-7 days.

VLSFO and LSMGO grades are available at Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage, with recommended lead times of 5-7 days. Bunker demand has remained low in the past week.

Bunker operations were running normally in Zona Comun on Thursday morning. However, rough weather conditions are forecast from Thursday evening onwards, and the weather is expected to remain severe until Saturday. This may result in prolonged delays and disruptions, a source says.

The bunker barge Gustavo U started supplying fuel again in Zona Comun on Monday after undergoing maintenance since 5 July.

Bunker fuel availability has been normal in the Brazilian port of Santos. Several suppliers can offer VLSFO and LSMGO stems with a lead time of 3-4 days in the port.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 2 August, 2024

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Alternative Fuels

Hong Kong-based Sun Ferry takes delivery of diesel-electric ferry “Xin Ming Zhu 30”

New vessel, designed by Incat Crowther and constructed by Guangzhou-based shipbuilder AFAI Southern Shipyard, will serve inter-island commuter and tourism operations across Hong Kong.

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Hong Kong-based Sun Ferry takes delivery of diesel-electric ferry “Xin Ming Zhu 30”

Global digital shipbuilder Incat Crowther on Wednesday (19 March) said Hong Kong-based ferry operator Sun Ferry has taken delivery of Xin Ming Zhu 30, a new, 35-metre diesel-electric ferry.

The new vessel, designed by Incat Crowther and constructed by Guangzhou-based shipbuilder AFAI Southern Shipyard, is the third vessel to join a fleet of seven new vessels designed by Incat Crowther for the mass transit operator.

The vessel will serve inter-island commuter and tourism operations across Hong Kong, connecting Peng Chau, Mui Wo, Chi Ma Wan and Cheung Chau.

The 300-seat passenger ferry boasts Veth azimuth thrusters that provide high manoeuvrability at operating speeds of 14 knots. The adoption of this technology makes the vessel suitable for berthing at piers on inter island routes.

The vessel is also fitted with 72 solar panels providing 7.5 kilowatts of on-board power.

Sam Mackay, Technical Manager at Incat Crowther, said: "This vessel reflects Sun Ferry’s commitment to future focused design solutions that not only meet operational needs, but that exceed customer expectations.”

“With diesel-electric propulsion, solar technology, and passenger-centric design, it sets a new benchmark for sustainable and efficient ferry services in Hong Kong.”

The delivery of the 35-metre hybrid vessel follows the delivery of two 45-metre conventional diesel-powered vessels to Sun Ferry. The final three vessels, all 45-metre vessels, will be delivered by the end of 2025. All vessels in the fleet have been designed by Incat Crowther and built by AFAI Southern Shipyard.

Photo credit: Incat Crowther
Published: 20 March, 2025

Biofuel

PRIO delivers Eco Bunkers B30 to two cargo ships at ports in Portugal

Company supplied the bio bunker fuel, a product containing 30% renewable raw materials, to “BBC Lisbon” at Port of Aveiro on 3 March and to “ANNA” at Port of Leixões on 18 March.

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PRIO delivers Eco Bunkers B30 to two cargo ships at ports in Portugal

Biofuels producer PRIO on Wednesday (19 March) said it carried out Eco Bunkers B30 fuel deliveries to shipping company Briese Chartering in collaboration with its partner UFS Unites Fuel Services this month.

On 3 March, PRIO supplied the biofuel to cargo vessel BBC Lisbon at the Port of Aveiro and to another cargo vessel, ANNA, at the Port of Leixões on 18 March.

“With these two Eco Bunkers B30 deliveries, a product containing 30% renewable raw materials, PRIO enabled Briese Chartering to reduce around 60 tons of CO2 in just two port calls in Portugal,” it said in a social media post.

“Produced at PRIO’s Aveiro plant, biodiesel has the potential to reduce GHG emissions by approximately 88% compared to fossil fuels.”

“PRIO has been demonstrating its commitment to decarbonising the maritime sector by supplying more sustainable products, ranging from 1% to 100% renewable content.”

Manifold Times previously reported PRIO launching its ECO Bunkers B30 biofuel in partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and World Fuel Services.

PRIO previously launched ECO Bunkers B15, a green fuel for ships with 15% biodiesel and the company then launched a 20% biofuel blend, ECO Bunkers E20.

Photo credit: PRIO
Published: 20 March, 2025

LNG Bunkering

Gasum completes SIMOPS LNG bunkering operation of PCTC “Höegh Sunlight”

Gasum’s LNG bunker vessel “Coralius” made its 920th LNG delivery to “Höegh Sunlight”, a brand new PCTC, with a capacity of 9100 CEU, at the Port of Gothenburg, Sweden on 10 March.

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Gasum completes SIMOPS LNG bunkering operation of PCTC “Höegh Sunlight”

Energy company Gasum on Wednesday (19 March) announced its delivery of liquified natural gas (LNG) to a car carrier during a simultaneous bunkering and cargo operation (SIMOPS) at the Port of Gothenburg, Sweden.

The company said it was the first ever LNG delivery to Höegh Sunlight at the Logent Car Terminal on 10 March 2025.

Gasum’s LNG bunker vessel Coralius made its 920th LNG delivery to Höegh Sunlight, a brand new Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC), with a capacity of 9100 CEU, during a ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering operation.

The company did not specify the amount of LNG supplied to the vessel.

The delivery was a collaboration between Gasum, Glander International, Höegh Autoliners, the Port of Gothenburg and Sirius Agency.

Photo credit: Gasum
Published: 20 March, 2025