Bunker Fuel

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (15 Feb 2024)

Prompt availability tight in Houston; strong demand in Los Angeles and Long Beach; availability very tight in Zona Comun.

Published

2 years ago

February 16, 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 tight in Houston
Strong demand in Los Angeles and Long Beach
Availability very tight in Zona Comun

North America

After last week’s weak demand, bunker demand has improved this week in Houston and several other ports along the US Gulf Coast. However, availability of all fuel grades remains tight for prompt dates in Houston.

At least two suppliers in Houston are unable to offer stems on prompt dates, and one of them cannot offer deliveries until 10 March. Most other suppliers require at a lead time of at least 6-8 days to deliver VLSFO and LSMGO stems in the port. HSFO availability is even tighter, and most suppliers have limited supply available, a source says.

Prompt supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is also tight in Bolivar Roads. Bunker deliveries there are subject to weather conditions and availability of anchorage space, a source says. One of the suppliers is unable to provide VLSFO for the upcoming week.

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

A high risk of fog and reduced visibility is forecast around Corpus Christi, Galveston, Port Arthur and Lake Charles from Thursday, which could delay vessel traffic around these ports and potentially also through the Houston Ship Channel, Norton Lilly says.

Bunker operations in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) resumed on Tuesday after being suspended for a day due to rough weather. However, with a forecast of strong wind gusts of up to 42 knots over the weekend, bunkering could be hit again.

Demand at the anchorage in GOLA has decreased significantly due to intermittent weather disruptions in recent weeks, a source says.

Since Wednesday, there has been an increase in demand at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on the West Coast. There was an unexpected refinery shutdown in Vancouver on Wednesday, which has redirected more vessels to bunker in Los Angeles and Long Beach, further up the North American west coast, a source says.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO stems is better than normal in Los Angeles. Most suppliers can deliver stems within 5-7 days of lead time.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal for prompt dates in the East Coast port of New York, while HSFO remains tight in the port, keeping its price elevated compared to other ports in the Americas.

Caribbean and Latin America

VLSFO and LSMGO demand has remained good in Panama’s Balboa port this week. Product availability is normal with several suppliers able to supply both fuel grades with a lead time of 4-5 days. The demand for HSFO has also improved in Balboa and Cristobal ports compared to the past couple of weeks, and prompt supply is readily available in both ports.

Prompt availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO has been tight off Trinidad and delivery prospects are subject to enquiries, a source says. The earliest delivery dates with one supplier can stretch out to the end of this month. Another supplier can deliver the fuel grades with a lead time of at least six days.

The availability of bunker fuel in Argentina’s Zona Comun has been extremely tight due to intermittent weather-related suspensions. This has delayed bunker operations and also dented demand in the area, a source says.

Currently, bunkering is proceeding normally in Zona Comun. However, a forecast of bad weather conditions from Saturday could cause a delay in bunkering throughout next week.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is good in most Brazilian ports and demand has also been normal there.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 16 February 2024

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South Korea: S-Oil launches B30-VLSFO bio bunker fuel supply

Company says it has established an integrated operating system in the Ulsan region covering the entire value chain, from feedstock procurement and blending to supply.

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July 23, 2026

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South Korea: S-Oil launches B30-VLSFO bio bunker fuel supply

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

Panama bunker fuel sales drops by 10.7% on year in June 2026

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.

Published

11 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Admin

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

Bunker Fuel

Antwerp-Bruges biofuel bunker sales drops 36% on year in Q2 2026, LNG down 13.4%

Biofuel recorded 26,833 mt in Q2 2026 with 41,939 mt recorded in the same period the year before while port data showed 76,513 mt of LNG being delivered in Q2 2026, down from 88,328 mt.

Published

11 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Admin

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges recently published bunker fuel sales data for the second quarter (Q2) of 2026.

Total bunker sales at the port was 2.05 million metric tonnes (mt) in Q2 2026, compared to sales of 1.99 million mt (+3%) during the similar period in 2025.

Deliveries of ultra low sulphur fuel oil, very low sulphur fuel oil, high sulphur fuel oil and marine gas oil in Q2 2026 (against on year) recorded respectively 164,987 mt (+43.6% from 114,917 mt), 537,926 mt (+12.8% from 476,746 mt), 659,182 mt (+11.6% from 590,544 mt) and 366,329 (-15.7% from 434,766 mt).

Biofuel recorded 26,833 mt in Q2 2026 with 41,939 mt (-36%) recorded in the same period the year before.

Port data showed 76,513 mt of liquefied natural gas (LNG) being delivered as a marine fuel in Q2 2026, down by 13.4% from 88,328 mt in Q2 2025. Meanwhile, there has been no deliveries of methanol at the port for the year so far.

Photo credit: Port of Antwerp-Bruges
Published: 23 July, 2026