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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (18 Dec 2025)

Dense fog temporarily closes Houston; cold weather delays bunkering in New York; LSMGO availability tightens in Rio de Janeiro.

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RESIZED ENGINE Americas

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:

  • Dense fog temporarily closes Houston
  • Cold weather delays bunkering in New York
  • LSMGO availability tightens in Rio de Janeiro

North America

Though demand for bunkers is healthy in Houston, availability of all three conventional fuels is expected to tighten in the coming weeks.

According to sources, as the year-end approaches, suppliers have begun to maintain lower-than-usual inventories to avoid year-end taxes associated with rolling product into the next year.

This week, suppliers have recommended extended lead times at the port, with more than 7 days advised for HSFO and VLSFO, while LSMGO can be delivered within 5-7 days.

Currently, the US Gulf Coast is in its fog season, which has caused multiple port closures across the region, leading to delays in bunker delivery orders and schedules.

The port of Houston was closed to inbound traffic at 15:00 (local time) on 17 December and remained open only to outbound traffic before being fully closed to all traffic at 20:04 (local time) due to dense fog in the region, a shipping agent informed.

The port is expected to reopen today as weather conditions begin to improve, a bunker trader told ENGINE.

In the Sabine Neches Waterway, all vessel boardings have been suspended from 00:40 (local time) on 18 December due to poor visibility caused by fog, and traffic will resume once weather conditions improve.

At the nearby bunkering spot Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), bunker operations are expected to be suspended on 19 December due to high wind gusts and elevated sea conditions at the outer locations, a bunker trader said.

In New York, demand for HSFO and VLSFO has remained steady, with lead times currently at 6-9 days this week. For LSMGO deliveries, most suppliers have recommended a 2-3-day notice.

In New York Harbor, cold weather has begun to affect some deliveries, as falling temperatures at the port have caused fuel oil to solidify, a source said.

Apart from cold weather, high wind gusts have remained prevalent at the port.

A gale watch is set to come into effect from Thursday evening and remain through Friday evening, as the port is expecting high wind gusts exceeding 40 knots, which can result in waves of 4-5 feet.

Weather conditions are expected to calm by 20 December, with westerly winds forecast at below 15 knots.

Bunker fuel demand has eased along the US West Coast, with the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach not seeing many enquiries this week, a trader said. All three conventional fuel grades require lead times of around 7-8 days this week.

Container ship volumes at the port of Los Angeles are expected to dip to 17 vessels in the coming week, down from 20 container ships, according to the port’s vessel tracker, Signal.

In Vancouver, HSFO can be supplied between 22–24 December, while VLSFO and LSMGO remain available with lead times of 8-10 days this week. Weather conditions in Vancouver have remained normal, with winds mostly blowing between 9-14 knots.

Latin America and the Caribbean

In Panama, bunker fuel demand has improved in the last quarter of 2025, with October and November recording some of the highest sales of the year.

Panama also offers biofuels for bunkering; however, offtake for the grade has remained disappointing with only 3 recorded biofuel stems during 2025, according to preliminary data from the Panama Maritime Authority.

At the ports of Balboa and Cristobal, VLSFO and LSMGO can be delivered within 5–7 days this week. LSMGO is available from most suppliers with lead times of around 4 days, but this may extend to 6 days, a source told ENGINE.

In Colombia, both VLSFO and LSMGO remain available for prompt delivery across the ports of Cartagena, Santa Marta and Barranquilla, with earliest delivery dates possible within the next 2–3 days.

In Brazil, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight in Santos. The port is facing congestion due to vessel traffic and has extended lead times this week to 6–8 days for VLSFO.

LSMGO can be delivered at the earliest between 22–24 December.

In Rio de Janeiro, VLSFO is not available this week, while LSMGO availability for prompt delivery is tight. Suppliers have recommended lead times of more than 7 days for LSMGO deliveries.

Rio Grande continues to maintain normal availability for both VLSFO and LSMGO, which can be delivered within 5–7 days. The port also offers biofuels for bunkering.

In Belém and Vila do Conde, VLSFO is available and can be supplied within recommended lead times of 4–5 days.

However, LSMGO is currently unavailable and is expected to be available from 5 January, according to local suppliers.

At OPL Sepetiba, both VLSFO and LSMGO are currently unavailable, with reloading expected to take place on 21 December, according to sources.

In Salvador, the earliest supply for both grades is expected between 20–21 December.

Paranaguá continues to have normal VLSFO availability with delivery in 4–5 days, while LSMGO remains unavailable.

Itaqui is expecting tanker reloading for both VLSFO and LSMGO on 26 December.

In Argentina, restrictions on bunker fuel purchases are set to be lifted from 1 January 2026, allowing vessels to purchase fuel up to the maximum tank capacity. Currently, restrictions remain on the quantity of bunkers allowed to be purchased by vessel operators, based on the destination of their transit.

A strike is scheduled at the Upriver ports due to a wage-related labour dispute, set to begin at 06:00 (local time) on Thursday. The strike is expected to last for 24 hours. During this period, operations will be suspended at ports and berths, including LDC Lagos, Cargill Punta Alvear, and Viterra Bahia Blanca.

In Zona Comun, a period of possible disruptions is expected until 20 December, as high wind gusts are blowing across the anchorage.

This may lead to delays in bunker deliveries, a source said. This week, both VLSFO and LSMGO can be delivered within typical lead times of 5-7 days, a supplier said.

By Gautamee Hazarika

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 19 December, 2025

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Bunker Fuel

Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (3 September 2026)

Bunker report panellists include Island Oil Limited, Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Monjasa A/S, KPI OceanConnect, NSI Marine and Transparensea Fuels.

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Baltic Exchange logo

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

Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (3 September 2026)
Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (3 September 2026)

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

Fujairah – Offshore Anchorage Area
Gibraltar – Anchorage area
Houston – Houston Harbor
Panama – (Pacific) dangerous cargo area, Balboa
Rotterdam – Waalhaven Maasvlakte range
Singapore – Anchorage, under SBA Scheme
Zhoushan – Southern anchorage area

Submitted weekly at Close of Business UK time Daily

Panellists:
Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Island Oil Limited, KPI OceanConnect, Monjasa A/S, NSI Marine and Transparensea Fuels

 

Photo credit and source: Baltic Exchange
Published: 4 September, 2026

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Bunker Fuel

ENGINE: Americas Fuel Availability Outlook (3 September 2026)

New York sees healthy bunker demand; availability improves in Los Angeles; VLSFO and LSMGO tight in Rio de Janeiro.

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RESIZED ENGINE Americas

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:

  • New York sees healthy bunker demand
  • Availability improves in Los Angeles
  • VLSFO and LSMGO tight in Rio de Janeiro

North America

In Houston, bunker demand has been strong over the past week, and prompt availability is bit tight across all three conventional grades.

HSFO and VLSFO require lead times of 5–7 days, and LSMGO can be delivered by most suppliers within 4–5 days, a trader said.

At the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), operations are being conducted on a first-come, first-served basis and remain subject to weather conditions.

Recommended lead times for all three grades stand at 5–8 days at the anchorage this week.

Mobile Bay stands out this week, with visibility dropping as low as 1 nautical mile during high-risk periods recurring almost daily through 9 September. Elsewhere, sea fog risk along the US Gulf Coast is mostly low.

Moderate risk builds through midweek at Port Arthur, Lake Charles, Marsh Island, Port Fourchon, New Orleans and Venice, while Texas ports, Pascagoula and Tampa stay largely clear, bar a few brief moderate spells.

In New York, bunker demand has been good. HSFO and VLSFO are tight for prompt supply, with lead times of 6–8 days, and LSMGO is available within 3–5 days.

No backlog or bunker barge readiness issues have been reported. Weather conditions are forecast to remain calm and conducive for bunkering at the port, a source said.

The Atlantic hurricane season is currently ongoing, with three active hurricanes — Karina and Marie in the Eastern Pacific, and Lowell in the Central Pacific.

The National Hurricane Center has issued advisories on all three. Additional marine warnings are also in effect in the Eastern Pacific region.

On the US West Coast, fuel availability across all three conventional grades has improved since the past week, a trader said. At the port of Los Angeles and Long Beach, some suppliers can now deliver VLSFO and LSMGO in a week’s time, compared to last week’s 10 days, while HSFO lead times remain unchanged at 7 days.

Recently, the Port of Los Angeles approved a 30-year lease extension with Yusen Terminals, keeping the operator at the port through 2056, and adding a further $200 million investment in zero-emission equipment.

At Canada’s Vancouver, VLSFO has been a bit tight over the past week, with recommended lead times currently over 5 days, a source said. HSFO and LSMGO have good availability, with lead times of 5–7 days.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Bunker availability is good for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO at Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal, and demand has picked up this week, a trader told ENGINE.

Suppliers are recommending lead times of 3–5 days for all three fuel grades.

In Brazil, HSFO is no longer available, and lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO vary across the country’s ports.

Santos is congested, but availability is normal for VLSFO and LSMGO, with recommended lead times of 5–8 days.

Availability is tight for both grades in Rio de Janeiro this week, and supply is only available under prior consultation, a source said.

Rio Grande is reporting no availability for LSMGO, and VLSFO is available and can be supplied by most suppliers within a week.

At Paranaguá, Belém and Vila do Conde, VLSFO and LSMGO have decent availability, with lead times ranging between 4–7 days.

Punta Colorada in Argentina is set for a step up in activity, with two floating LNG (FLNG) units due onstream there by the end of 2027.

The Hilli Episeyo, currently repositioning from Cameroon via Singapore, and the Esperanza, a converted LNG carrier, will together add just over 6 million tonnes of annual LNG production capacity once both are running, Antares Shipping Agency said.

Bunkering operations in Argentina’s Zona Comun are continuing, despite choppy conditions at the anchorage.

Strong winds are expected to persist through the week, with the potential to interrupt bunkering, if winds exceed above 20 knots. Supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO are normal, and delivery lead times are currently running at 5-7 days, a source said.

By Gautamee Hazarika

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 4 September, 2026

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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook (2 Sep 2026)

Prompt fuel supplies are tight in the ARA; high cruise demand tightens availability in Piraeus; lead times of 5-7 days required in Durban.

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RESIZED ENGINE Europe and Africa

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:

  • Prompt fuel supplies are tight in the ARA
  • High cruise demand tightens availability in Piraeus
  • Lead times of 5-7 days required in Durban

Northwest Europe

Fuel availability is tight in the ARA for prompt delivery dates, with buyers advised lead times between 5-7 days for deliveries of HSFO, VLSFO, ULSFO and LSMGO fuel grades, a trader said.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 15% higher in August thus far, compared to July’s monthly average, according to Insights Global data.

The ARA hub has imported around 344,000 b/d of fuel oil in August thus far, more than double July’s monthly average of around 159,000 b/d, according to Vortexa cargo flows data. The largest volumes arrived from Benin (20%), Venezuela (15%) and Mexico (8%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have dropped by 1% in August so far, compared to July, according to the Insights Global data.

The region has imported around 156,000 b/d of gasoil in August thus far, up from an average of around 119,000 b/d imported in July, according to Vortexa data. A majority of shipments arrived from the US (36%), Sweden (12%) and the UK (10%).

Bunker fuel availability is stable in Germany’s Hamburg port, a trader told ENGINE. Buyers are recommended a notice of five days to get delivery of any fuel grade.

Fuel availability is tight off Denmark Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, with buyers advised lead times of 10-14 days for deliveries of any fuel grade, a trader said.

Mediterranean

Bunker availability is tight for prompt dates at ports in the Strait of Gibraltar, with buyers advised earliest delivery dates of around 10-12 days out to get good coverage, a trader told ENGINE.

Suppliers in Gibraltar are running 4-12 hours behind schedule on deliveries, according to port agent MH Bland. In Algeciras, suppliers are running between 6-24 hours delayed, the port agent added. In Spain’s Ceuta, some deliveries at barge could be delayed by 6-8 hours, MH Bland said.

In Barcelona, buyers should book supplies at least a week before deliveries, a trader told ENGINE.

Prompt fuel availability is tight in Las Palmas, with buyers recommended lead times of around 10-12 days, a trader told ENGINE.

VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries off Malta require between 3-4 days of notice while ULSFO deliveries require six days of lead time, according to a trader. Some suppliers are offering prompt deliveries as well, the trader added.

Fuel availability is tight in Greece’s Piraeus for prompt supplies due to increased demand from cruise vessels, with buyers recommended lead times of seven days for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO, while ULSFO supplies need a 5-day notice, a trader said.

Prompt fuel availability is okay in Turkey’s Istanbul for most marine fuels, a local supplier told ENGINE. LSMGO and ULSFO deliveries need 1-3 days of notice, while VLSFO needs 2-4 days’ time, a trader said. HSFO availability is slightly tight for prompt supplies in Istanbul, with buyers advised 4-7 days of lead time, the trader added.

Africa

In Togo’s Lome and off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, fuel availability is tight for prompt supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO, with buyers recommended a week of notice for both fuel grades.

VLSFO is not available in Angola’s Luanda, a supplier told ENGINE. LSMGO availability is comparatively stable, and a notice of 3-4 days is sufficient for deliveries of the fuel grade, the supplier added.

In Nigeria’s Lagos anchorage, prompt fuel supplies are tight, and buyers are advised lead times of 5-10 days, a local supplier said.

In South Africa’s Durban, prompt fuel supplies of all three grades are tight, a trader said. Buyers are advised a week’s notice for any fuel grade.

Bunker availability is tight in Port Louis, with suppliers requiring notice of around 10-14 days, a trader said.

In the Mozambican ports of Nacala and Maputo, VLSFO supplies are tight and need lead times of a week, a trader told ENGINE.

By Nachiket Tekawade

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 3 September, 2026

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