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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (22 May 2025)

Bunker fuel demand in Houston improves; HSFO supply extremely tight in Balboa; Minerva’s barge out of operation in Zona Comun.
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3 weeks ago

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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:

  • Bunker fuel demand in Houston improves
  • HSFO supply extremely tight in Balboa
  • Minerva’s barge out of operation in Zona Comun

North America

Bunker demand in Houston has improved this week compared to early May. VLSFO and LSMGO are currently available for prompt delivery, with recommended lead times of 5-7 days for both fuel grades.

HSFO availability remains tight at the port and a minimum of 7 days is advised as lead times.

There are currently 514 vessels in the port of Houston, with 82 arrivals recorded in the last 24 hours and 122 additional vessels expected over the next 30 days.

Fuel availability across all grades in New York remains good. Suppliers continue to recommend lead times of under 7 days.

Disruptions are expected at the port due to high wind gusts forecast between 22-25 May, which may delay bunker barge operations.

Standby tugs could be required depending on conditions, a source informed.

In the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), high seas and strong wind gusts are expected through the week, which can lead to the suspension of bunkering operations.

“Deliveries are operating on a first-come, first-serve basis, but may be suspended during adverse weather, so vessels should plan bunker calls accordingly,” a trader informed.

Earlier this week, Galveston LNG Bunker Port (GLBP) secured final approval from both the US Army Corps of Engineers and the US Coast Guard to build its LNG bunkering terminal in Texas City, designed to handle 300,000 gallons per day.

In New Orleans, no significant weather disruptions or congestion has been reported. Bunkering operations are expected to proceed normally without delays.

The Sabine–Neches Waterway will also mostly have sunny and calm weather through Saturday. Showers and thunderstorms are expected from Sunday night through Tuesday, which may affect bunker operations.

On the West Coast, fuel availability remains steady, and suppliers have recommended lead times of less than a week.

Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, Gene Seroka, recently highlighted the uncertainty the shippers face amidst changing regulations: “There have been 55 trade policy changes since January. Tariffs shot up to 145% on all imports from China, then dropped to around 30% on average after negotiations. Tariffs are still elevated, and these deadlines coming up will cause for a little bit of trepidation.”

For May, approximately 80 sailings were expected to arrive in Los Angeles, but 17 of those have already been cancelled as a result. Additionally, 10 sailings have been cancelled for June.

While trade is gradually shifting away from China toward Southeast Asia, the shift is not significant enough yet to offset the decline in Chinese imports, Seroka noted.

“In the first week of May, import volume at the Port of LA was down more than 30%. This month’s volume drop is likely to be substantial when we close the books,” he added.

Similarly, the Port of Long Beach is now anticipating a 10% decline in shipments for May, following 11 months of steady growth and a strong April.

Peter Sand, Chief Analyst at Xeneta, said, “The US-China announcement on the temporary lowering of tariffs fired the starting gun for shippers to rush as many imports as possible during the 90-day window. There is no time to waste, and this rush will put upward pressure on spot rates for Transpacific trades.”

Sands adds, “Spot rates will peak and then flatten as carriers redeploy capacity to meet demand, followed by a rate decline—similar to what we saw in Q1. This pattern is expected over the next two to four weeks.”

Meanwhile, the Port of Montreal is preparing for potential disruptions due to high wind gusts forecast between 22-23 May. The port is already experiencing backlog congestion, with barge operations restricted to daylight hours.

Caribbean and Latin America

In Panama, availability for VLSFO and LSMGO is good with recommended lead times of around 5–6 days. HSFO is extremely tight in Balboa and requires longer lead time.

This week has seen HSFO and VLSFO trade at the port at near parity, recording a rare negative Hi5 spread on 20 May.

A possible driver behind the narrowing spread could be increased competition in the VLSFO market. “Fresh resupplies of VLSFO across several suppliers have made the market more competitive,” a source said. “Meanwhile, HSFO remains very, very tight at the port, which has led to a price increase.”

In Balboa bunkering is being with priority for vessels with confirmed transit schedules through the Panama Canal, another source noted.

In Bahama’s Freeport, stable weather with no major disruptions is expected. Bunkering at the anchorage continues, with cruise ships given priority.

St. Eustatius and Trinidad are also operating under normal conditions, with no major weather disruptions, and bunker deliveries proceeding as usual.

The Paraguay basin has recovered, and water levels now remain stable, which is expected to continue through July.

However, the Brazil basin continues to face low rainfall and limited inflows, keeping the Iguazú River and Upriver area at medium-low levels with possible rapid changes.

Heavy rains in the lower riverway have sharply raised water levels, but this may be short-lived without improvements in the Brazil basin, Antares Ship Agents informed.

In Zona Comun, bunker market conditions remain steady, with limited demand and little price movement. “It appears to be quiet, no price variations and demand is reported to be slow,” a local supplier said.

VLSFO availability at the anchorage remains volatile, with suppliers recommending lead times of at least 10 days.

The barge Sara H, formerly operated by Minerva and undergoing dry dock maintenance, has now been sold after an inspection. A local supplier confirmed a replacement barge is expected by the end of the month.

Currently, three to four barges are operating in Zona Comun, sources say.

In Brazil, bunker fuel availability remains good in Santos, Rio Grande, and Rio de Janeiro, with recommended lead times of 5–7 days.

Some congestion is reported around Santos and is likely to persist over the next five days, according to source.

By Gautamee Hazarika

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 23 May, 2025

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Bunker Fuel

Singapore: Bunker sales volume raises to year record high of 4.88 million mt in May

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil jumped 671.7% to 40,900 mt when compared to figures seen in May 2024.
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4 hours ago

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June 16, 2025

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SG bunker performance May 2025

Bunker fuel sales at Singapore port inched forward by 1.1% on year in May 2025, the highest volume seen in 2025, according to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) data.

In total, 4.88 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,878,100 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in April, up from 4.83 million mt (4,826,800 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2024.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in May (against on year) recorded respectively 1.89 million mt (+8.6% from 1.74 million mt), 2.45 million mt (-7.2% from 2.64 million mt), 1,200 mt (from zero), 1,700 mt (-88% from 14,300 mt) and zero (from zero).

SG bunker port performance May 2025

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in May (against on year) recorded respectively 40,900 mt (+671.7% from 5,300 mt), 95,800 mt (+97.9% from 48,400 mt), 700 mt (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from 300 mt). B100 biofuel bunkers, introduced in February this year, recorded 1,900 mt of deliveries in May.

LNG and methanol sales were respectively 45,000 mt (-7.8% from 48,800) and zero (from 1,600 mt). There were no recorded sales of ammonia for the month and so far in 2025.

Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 4% on year in April 2025
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 0.5% on year in March 2025
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 8.1% on year in February 2025
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 9.1% on year in January 2025

A complete series of articles on Singapore bunker volumes reported by Manifold Times tracked since 2018 can be found via the link here.

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 16 June 2025

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Bunker Fuel

Panama bunker sales volume up 13.9% on year to 453,397 mt in May 2025

Total bunker sales at Panama was 453,397 metric tonnes (mt) in May 2025, compared to sales of 398,964 mt during the similar period in 2024.
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Published

5 hours ago

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June 16, 2025

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RESIZED Panama

Bunker fuel sales at Panama increased by 13.9% in May 2025, 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 453,397 metric tonnes (mt) in May 2025, compared to sales of 398,964 mt during the similar period in 2024.

In May 2025, the Pacific side of Panama posted bunker sales of 368,419 mt; 213,589 mt of VLSFO, 117,297 mt of RMG 380, 1,538 of marine gas oil (MGO), and 35,995 mt of low sulphur marine gas oil (LSMGO) were delivered.

The similar region saw total marine sales of 323,084 mt a year before in May; with VLSFO sales at 184,761 mt, RMG 380 sales at 112,011 mt, MGO sales at 2,199 mt, and 24,113 mt of LSMGO being sold.

Panama’s Atlantic side, meanwhile, recorded total bunker fuel sales of 84,978 during May 2025; the figure comprised 63,318 mt of VLSFO, 8,575 mt of RMG 380, 1,987 mt of MGO, and 11,098 mt of LSMGO.

It saw total sales of 74,980 mt in May a year before; with VLSFO sales of 59,855 mt, RMG 380 sales of 6,508 mt, 1,545 mt of MGO, and LSMGO sales of 7,072 mt.

 

Photo credit: George Keel
Published: 16 June 2025

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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (12 June 2025)

Bunker demand in Houston remains weak; Argentina authorised voluntary use of biofuels; VLSFO availability in Zona Comun improves.
Admin

Published

3 days ago

on

June 13, 2025

By

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:

  • Bunker demand in Houston remains weak
  • Argentina authorised voluntary use of biofuels
  • VLSFO availability in Zona Comun improves

North America

Bunker demand in Houston remains weak across all fuel grades. Both VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available, with recommended lead times of 3–5 days. HSFO is also stocked, though prompt deliveries may face delays due to barge congestion, requiring lead times of at least 7 days and above.

In the last 24 hours, 77 vessels have arrived at the port, and 122 more are expected over the next 30 days.

The US Gulf region has entered its hurricane season, which will last through 30 November.

“This is likely to bring bouts of bad weather that could disrupt bunkering operations, particularly around the Bolivar Roads anchorage,” a source noted.

In Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), deliveries are suspended due to high seas and are likely to remain so until the afternoon of 13 June.

Bunker operations are being carried out on a first-come, first-served basis, where weather conditions allow.

In New York, bunker demand remains good. All fuel grades are available at the port for prompt delivery, with suppliers recommending lead times of around 5 days.

High wind gusts are forecast between 12–13 June at the port, which could lead to disruptions. No backlog congestion or barge readiness issues are currently reported.

Both bunker fuel availability and demand at the Port of Los Angeles remain steady. Suppliers say they can deliver all the fuel grades in less than 7 days.

While importers have been frontloading cargo in anticipation of the upcoming end to the tariff pause, according to the Port of Los Angeles’ Port Optimizer, import volumes declined during the week between 8–14 June, reaching 94,692 TEUs from 17 scheduled vessel calls.

This represents a 5.82% drop from the previous week and an 18.98% decrease year-on-year.

However, volumes are expected to rebound in Week 25, i.e, 15-21 June, with 121,916 TEUs expected from 22 scheduled vessels. This reflects a 28.75% week-on-week increase and a significant 41.27% rise year-on-year (YoY).

Rising tariffs and ongoing uncertainty in US-China relations have significantly slowed the movement of goods, impacting jobs, businesses, and local economies in tangible ways.

Data from the Chinese government revealed that exports to the US plummeted by 35% YoY in May — the sharpest decline since the early 2020 trade freeze during Covid lockdowns. This followed a 21% drop in April.

In Canada’s Montreal, bunker operations may face disruptions on 12 June due to high wind gusts. Barge services operate only during daylight hours, and delays at anchorage are possible.

Latin America and the Caribbean

The market is still very quiet in Panama. All fuel grades in Balboa and Cristobal can be supplied within 5-7 days.

In Balboa, from 12-16 June, high winds and thunderstorms may disrupt bunkering. Deliveries operate on a first-come first serve basis, with priority given to vessels with confirmed Panama Canal transit slots.

Ongoing drought conditions are still affecting transit through the Panama Canal, causing delays in vessel movements, especially for ships with deeper drafts.

In the Bahamas’ Freeport and St. Eustatius, no weather disruptions are expected. Deliveries are being made at the anchorage, with cruise ships receiving priority. No barge congestion is reported.

In Trinidad Offshore, from 12-16 June, high wind gusts and high seas could impact bunker deliveries. No barge readiness congestion has been reported at the moment.

Argentina has authorised the voluntary use of biofuels or biofuel blends for river and sea vessels, as long as their engines are compatible.

To support this, the government has introduced a new “Bunker Operator” category in its official registry. Companies supplying marine biofuels must now register and follow certain rules, helping ensure proper handling, safety, and fuel quality.

The anticipated increase in Argentina’s maize production and export volumes is also expected to drive higher vessel traffic at key ports, which could in turn boost bunker fuel demand and impact delivery schedules, another source informed.

VLSFO availability in Zona Comun has significantly increased, with lead times now at 5-6 days, down from the typical 10-12 days.

High wind gusts are expected from 12-16 June, and if wind speeds exceed 20 knots, bunker deliveries will be suspended, the port authorities said.

Bunker fuel supply continues to be stable across key Brazilian ports, including Santos, Rio de Janeiro, and Rio Grande, with VLSFO and LSMGO available for prompt delivery. HSFO is not supplied at these ports. Recommended lead times are around 5–7 days.

Operations at the Port of Santos remain affected by congestion, though conditions are expected to ease in the next few days.

Meanwhile, bunker availability in Colombia’s Barranquilla, Cartagena, and Santa Marta ports also remains good, with recommended lead times of 2–3 days, according to a source.

By Gautamee Hazarika

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 13 June 2025

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