Business

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Above-average US fuel oil stocks, below-average distillate stocks; prompt VLSFO readily available in Argentina and Brazil; rough weather headed to GOLA, Trinidad and Zona Comun.

Published

3 years ago

July 29, 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:

28 July 2022

Above-average US fuel oil stocks, below-average distillate stocks
Prompt VLSFO readily available in Argentina and Brazil
Rough weather headed to GOLA, Trinidad and Zona Comun

North America

Buyers have been looking to start the bunker procurement process further ahead in recent weeks, sources say. Both to have their ducks in a row to fix stems when the market has trended down, and to ensure fuel availability for their targeted dates. But availability has not been tight to the extremes of late, except for in a couple of locations such as Panama and Trinidad.

VLSFO and LSMGO grades are generally in good supply with suppliers in the Houston area, while HSFO can be tighter and requires around a week of lead time with one supplier.

A period of strong winds and swells between Sunday and Monday could disrupt bunkering at the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA).

LSMGO and HSFO availability prospects in New York vary between suppliers. One can deliver the grades with 3-5 days of lead time, another in seven days, while one needs 12 days.

Suppliers in Los Angeles, Long Beach and other US West Coast ports can accommodate prompt stems. The earliest delivery dates for VLSFO and LSMGO with two suppliers in San Francisco range between 4-6 days out.

US residual fuel oil stocks have grown beyond their position at this time last year, and also above their five-year average. Fuel oil inventories averaged 2% higher in the first three weeks of July compared to the whole of June, Energy Information Administration (EIA) figures show. A 71,000 b/d drop in supply out of storage - implied demand – has supported stock levels over this period.

Imports have dropped by 95,000 b/d on the month in July. Mexico has been the US’ biggest import source since April, when Russian inflows were phased out with an embargo. US importers increasingly looked towards Mexico and the Middle East to replace Russian barrels. Algeria became its second-biggest fuel oil source in May and June, while the UAE has taken that spot in July.

A sustained period of high refinery runs has yielded more fuel oil as a by-product and supported the stock build. US refinery utilisation has averaged above 90% since the end of April. Utilisation was ramped up further from mid-May, especially on the East Coast (97-99%) and Gulf Coast (95-98%), while to a lesser extent on the West Coast (81-90%).

The 257,000 b/d capacity Richmond refinery on the West Coast is slated for a six-week crude distillation (CDU) maintenance that started 15 June, according to Wood Mackenzie, which should have held back the region’s utilisation rates.

The country’s distillate stocks remain considerably below both their level a year ago and their five-year average. East Coast distillate stocks have regained some weight after slumping to record lows in late May. This has been reflected in improved availability in East Coast bunker ports like New York.

Caribbean and Latin America

VLSFO can be tight in Panama, especially in Cristobal where there are considerably fewer barges delivering fuel than on the Balboa side. A supplier has no availability in Cristobal for the coming week, but can supply in Balboa. Around seven days of lead time has been advised for stems of any grade in Balboa.

Supply prospects can be patchy off Trinidad as one supplier has a barge out for drydock and no availability. Another supplier has one barge in operation, which will head to a terminal to reload product in early August and could be unavailable for deliveries for the next 11-13 days.

High winds and swells are forecast off Trinidad between Saturday and Monday, possibly holding back bunker operations.

Prompt availability is good in Zona Comun and Brazilian ports. VLSFO can be delivered in Santos with three days of lead time. VLSFO and LSMGO can be delivered by a supplier in Zona Comun with 3-4 days or less of lead time.

Zona Comun has strong winds and swells forecast on Thursday and Friday, which could halt bunker deliveries. Bunkering has been suspended by rough weather at the anchorage on two occasions in the past week.

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 29 July, 2022

FuelEU

FincoEnergies launches pooling service for FuelEU Maritime compliance

FuelEU Pooling service enables undercompliant vessels to meet their compliance targets by pooling with vessels running on GoodFuels sustainable bio bunker fuels.

Published

10 hours ago

April 21, 2025

Admin

GoodFuels biofuel supplier FincoEnergies on Wednesday (16 April) announced the launch of its FuelEU Pooling service, created to enable shipowners to meet FuelEU Maritime compliance in a cost-effective way.

FuelEU Maritime, effective from 1 January 2025, mandates the reduction of greenhouse gas intensity of energy used on board ships trading in the EU. For many operators, particularly those with limited access to low-carbon fuels, compliance can be both complex and costly.

Designed for shipowners, operators, charterers, and technical managers, FincoEnergies’ FuelEU Pooling service enables undercompliant vessels to meet their compliance targets by pooling with vessels running on GoodFuels sustainable biofuels, when these vessels are overcompliant and have ‘Surplus’ emission reduction available for allocation.

FincoEnergies also partnered with Lloyd’s Register (LR), who supported the development of the service. Their technical expertise has enabled shaping a solution that aligns with both regulatory requirements and FincoEnergies' established position as a biofuel supplier in the fuel supply chain.

“FuelEU Maritime represents one of the most important regulatory shifts for the shipping industry in decades,” said Alberto Perez, Global Head, Maritime Commercial Markets at LR. “By integrating technical expertise with strategic guidance, we ensure shipowners, operators, and suppliers not only comply with evolving emissions standards, but also proactively transform their operations, embracing new technologies and alternative fuels to ensure a sustainable and profitable future.”

“With a decade of experience in biofuel bunkers and carbon certificate trading in the voluntary market, we are excited to expand our creative and solution-oriented product portfolio with FuelEU Pooling,” said Johannes Schurmann, Commercial Director International Marine at FincoEnergies.

“Thanks to our physical presence in the supply chain, shipping companies looking for FuelEU surplus can confidently rely on us as a trusted partner in their decarbonisation journey.”

Through its role as Pool Organiser, FincoEnergies streamlines the entire pooling process – from performing biofuel bunkers and prefinancing Surplus, to Surplus allocation and pool verification. With cost-effective pricing, FuelEU Pooling provides shipping companies with a competitive alternative for changing their fuel mix themselves.

Photo credit: FincoEnergies
Published: 21 April, 2025

ECA

PO/Marine launches supply of MED ECA-compliant ULSFO bunker fuel

In preparation of the upcoming Mediterranean Emission Control Area regulation, PO/Marine successfully delivered its first supply of ULSFO with 0.10% sulphur content on 15 April.

Published

10 hours ago

April 21, 2025

Admin

Aydın Yıldız, Head of Marine Sales at Petrol Ofisi Group

Petrol Ofisi’s bunkering arm PO/Marine on Thursday (17 April) said it has completed the bunkering operation of ULSFO—a marine fuel with 0.10% sulphur content—in alignment with the upcoming Mediterranean Emission Control Area (MED ECA) regulation.

Under the new regulation, all vessels operating within the Mediterranean must use low-sulphur marine fuels.

Effective 1 May 2025, the Mediterranean will officially be designated as an Emission Control Area (MED ECA), prohibiting the use of marine fuels with sulphur content exceeding 0.10%.

In preparation for this regulatory transition, PO/Marine successfully delivered its first supply of ULSFO (Ultra Low Sulphur Fuel Oil) with 0.10% sulphur content on 15 April.

PO/Marine launches supply of MED ECA-compliant ULSFO bunker fuel

Aydın Yıldız, Senior Maritime Manager at Petrol Ofisi Group, said: “Our leadership in the maritime fuel sector is defined not only by our market share but also by the innovative steps we take to shape the industry.

“Successfully completing the supply of marine fuel with 0.10% sulphur content in alignment with the MED ECA transition in Türkiye is a concrete reflection of this. We previously led the way with the country’s first VLSFO bunkering operation, setting a precedent in our sector.

“With our ULSFO bunkering, we have once again demonstrated that we are setting the standard in Türkiye’s marine fuel landscape. The designation of the Mediterranean as an Emission Control Area is not only a regional development but a historic turning point for global maritime operations.”

Photo credit: PO/Marine
Published: 21 April, 2025

Bunker Fuel

Oilmar completes first ULSFO bunker fuel delivery in Türkiye

Company announced the successful completion of its first ULSFO 0.1% Sulphur delivery in Istanbul and is now offering the marine fuel in several key locations including Istanbul Anchorage and Marmara Sea.

Published

10 hours ago

April 21, 2025

Admin

UAE-based marine fuel and petroleum products trader Oilmar DMCC on Friday (18 April) announced the successful completion of its first ULSFO 0.1% Sulphur delivery in Istanbul, marking one of the very first trades of its kind in the country.

“With this milestone, Oilmar proudly steps forward as one of Türkiye’s pioneering trading companies in ULSFO 0.1% Sulphur fuel,” it said in a social media post.

Oilmar is now offering ULSFO 0.1% across key locations:

Istanbul Anchorage
Marmara Sea
Gulf of Derince
Bozcaada Anchorage
Southern Türkiye Ports

In addition, High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO), Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), Ultra-Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (ULSFO), and Low Sulphur Marine Gasoil (LSMGO) are available at all ports across Türkiye.

Photo credit: Dima Rogachevskiy on Unsplash
Published: 21 April, 2025