Business

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Prompt product generally tight in US ports; price pressure eases on New York LSMGO; lead times shorten in Caribbean and South American ports.

Published

3 years ago

June 2, 2022

Admin

Resized Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook image for Manifold Times

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:

2 June 2022

Prompt product generally tight in US ports
Price pressure eases on New York LSMGO
Lead times shorten in Caribbean and South American ports

North America

Prompt deliveries across all grades are tight in Houston, but some suppliers can still offer limited quantities for prompt dates. Others can offer from 7 June onwards, sources say.

LSMGO has been in limited supply in New York and several other East Coast ports this month amid dwindling distillate inventories in the region. LSMGO can now be offered in New York with 5-8 days of lead time, and availability prospects look good for dates further out than two weeks. The port’s LSMGO price premium over Houston has eased back down from nearly $350/mt in mid-May, to around $220/mt now.

In Marcus Hook, HSFO availability is tight as only few suppliers can offer the grade. A supplier has limited quantities and can offer with minimum of 10 days of lead times. Suppliers are typically fully booked for prompt dates, sources say.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is tight in Los Angeles and Long Beach. VLSFO has been priced with a big difference between the highest- and lowest-priced suppliers this week. Some suppliers can offer deliveries on prompt dates, but priced at a premium, sources say.

The earliest delivery date for a supplier in Long Beach is 11 days out. Securing VLSFO and LSMGO for prompt delivery dates at the San Francisco anchorage can be difficult. A supplier is running low on both grades and expects replenishment by mid-June, and pegs its earliest delivery date to around 17-20 days out.

Latin America

Certain suppliers are fully booked VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries for the remaining days of the week in Panama’s Cristobal and Balboa, while next week has more open spots in delivery schedules for all grades.

Several suppliers in Jamaica’s Kingston have set their earliest delivery dates for VLSFO to 5-7 days ahead.

Supply was squeezed in Trinidad earlier this month, pushing recommended lead times to around two weeks or more. Three suppliers can now offer VLSFO and LSMGO for delivery in 4-6 days.

VLSFO can be supplied in Colombia’s Barranquilla with four days of lead time.

Zona Comun has similarly seen improved prompt availability. A supplier there can deliver in four days.

Photo credit: ENGINE
Published: 2 June, 2022

Safety

Singapore: MPA urges port users to stay vigilant during monsoon surge

Moderate to heavy showers and strong winds are expected from 19 to 21 March due to a north-east monsoon surge and as such, vessels must be properly secured for sea at all times, says MPA.

Published

21 hours ago

March 20, 2025

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (19 March) has reminded owners, agents and masters of vessels to stay vigilant from 19 to 21 March due to a north-east monsoon surge.

“Moderate to heavy showers, and strong winds are expected during this period. Vessels must be properly secured for sea at all times,” MPA said in a port marine notice.

“The life-saving and firefighting equipment onboard must also be in good working condition and in accordance with the International Code for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations,” it said.

“Crew members shall be familiar with all emergency procedures, especially when embarking and disembarking passengers during adverse weather conditions. Vessels should maintain safe speeds, observe International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs).”

Masters of vessels are reminded to keep a safe anchor watch.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 20 March, 2025

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.

Published

22 hours ago

March 20, 2025

Admin

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.

Published

22 hours ago

March 20, 2025

Admin

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