Business

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

VLSFO supply runs almost dry in Vancouver; prompt supplies tight in Panama; VLSFO and LSMGO supply normal in Houston area.

Published

2 years ago

September 16, 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:

15 September 2022

VLSFO supply runs almost dry in Vancouver
Prompt supplies tight in Panama
VLSFO and LSMGO supply normal in Houston area

North America

VLSFO and LSMGO grades are readily available in the Houston area and off the US Gulf Coast.

LSMGO availability is normal in Lake Charles. A supplier can supply on prompt dates.

Prompt VLSFO availability has been slightly patchier in New York, particularly during the second half of last week. But supplies have gradually improved coming into this week, sources say. LSMGO remains readily available in New York.

Supply remains tight across all fuel grades in US West Coast ports. Several suppliers in Long Beach and Los Angeles are fully booked for prompt dates. Recommended lead times are about 10 days with several suppliers. One supplier can offer deliveries with a shorter lead time of six days.

Suppliers' earliest HSFO delivery dates are mostly subject to enquiry across US Gulf Coast and West Coast ports, sources say.

Buyers are struggling to secure VLSFO stems in Vancouver, both for prompt dates and for dates further out. Suppliers are running low on stock, sources say.

Tight VLSFO availability has mostly been attributed to a lack of product volumes available, while some argue that the tugboat strike in Vancouver could have impacted barge mobility.

One bunker supplier in Vancouver is set to receive a VLSFO resupply cargo this weekend, which should ease some supply constraints. Another supplier is fully booked for the entire month of September, sources say. LSMGO is available but limited to only one supplier offering it, sources say.

The lack of VLSFO supply in Vancouver has forced buyers to consider bunkering in Port Angeles on the US West Coast, where prompt availability has tightened across all grades, partly due to a recent spike in enquiries. A supplier in Port Angeles is unable to commit to new deliveries on prompt dates. It requires around 8-9 days of lead times.

Caribbean and Latin America

Availability is normal across all grades in Mexico’s Manzanillo. Recommended lead times for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO are about five days out. Prompt deliveries can be accommodated based on enquiries, sources say.

All grades remain in tight availability in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal. Availability is said to be tighter in Cristobal than in Balboa. Certain suppliers in Cristobal are hesitant to supply for prompt dates due to tight barge schedules. One supplier is able to offer some VLSFO for prompt dates in Cristobal.

Securing VLSFO for prompt dates can be difficult off Trinidad. A supplier is unable to offer deliveries for prompt dates as it is set to receive resupply cargoes in the coming days. Recommended lead times for VLSFO are about 9-10 days.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight for prompt dates in Zona Comun. The earliest delivery dates with some suppliers are 6-8 days out. Another supplier is unable to offer standalone LSMGO stems, preferring them combined with VLSFO.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal in Colombia’s Cartagena and Santa Marta. Some suppliers can offer deliveries for prompt dates in both ports.

MGO and VLSFO supply is normal in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro and Santos. A supplier is able to offer deliveries for both prompt dates and dates further out, sources say.

Danish bunker supplier Monjasa has announced it has chartered a 1,500 cbm- capacity bunker barge, the TWB-250, to deliver MGO stems in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro.

It previously delivered MGO by truck to vessels at berth in Rio de Janeiro and TWB-250 would allow it to deliver stems to anchored vessels.

By Nithin Chandran

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 16 September 2022

Bunker Fuel

China: Zhoushan to host 7th IPEC commodities, bunker conferences on 16 to 17 October

Global marine bunker development will be among main topics of discussion at the 7th International Petroleum and Natural Gas Enterprises Conference (IPEC).

Published

1 day ago

October 11, 2024

Admin

China: Zhoushan to host 7th IPEC commodities, bunker conferences on 16 to 17 October

The 7th International Petroleum and Natural Gas Enterprises Conference (IPEC) is taking place at Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China between 16 to 17 October.

The agenda, provided by the Zhoushan High-tech Zone Administrative Committee to foreign event media partner Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times, is as follows:

16 October

Registration and sign-in for participating guests
Meetings between Zhejiang Provincial and Zhoushan Municipal leaders with VIPs

17 October

Morning

Plenary Session of the Conference (Oriental Hall, Zhoushan International Conference Center)

Leader’s speech, guest keynote speech, signing of major projects

Discussion Topics [*17 October, 2pm to 5pm]

Focus Topic Meeting: Global marine bunker development*
Location: Haitian Hall, Haizhongzhou International Hotel, Zhoushan

14:00-14:05 - Opening of the Meeting

14:05-14:15 - Speech by Leaders

14:15-14:30 - Announcement of "Top Ten Global Bunkering Ports" and "Top Ten Global Bunkering Companies"

14:30-14:40 - Announcement of Construction Work of Northeast Asia Bonded Marine Fuel Bunkering Hub

14:40-14:50 – Launch ceremony of Zhoushan "White-list" Bunker Barge Mass Flow Meter System Pilot Certification Programme

14:50-15:10 - Signing Ceremony

15:10-16:10 - Keynote speech

16:10-16:35 - Coffee break

16:35-17:05 - Roundtable forum (Topic: Facing green and low-carbon transformation in global shipping, how do marine fuels change in response to the trend?)

17:05-17:35 - Roundtable forum (Topic: The road to develop high-quality offshore fuel bunkering metering under the new developments)

17:35-17:40 - Moderator’s summary

Utilising financial innovation, futures and spot cooperation to promote the construction of a hub for the allocation of bulk commodity resources*
Location: Putuo Hall, Zhoushan International Conference Center

Open development of global shipping trade*
Location: Donghai Hall, Hilton Zhoushan

International iron ore trade development*
Location: Banquet Hall 1/3, The Westin Zhujiajian Resort, Zhoushan

Development of China's new chemical materials industry during the “15th Five-Year Plan”*
Location: Banquet Hall 1/3, The Westin Zhujiajian Resort, Zhoushan

Development of non-ferrous metal mining industry*
Location: Lianhua Ocean Hall, Hilton Zhoushan

16 and 17 October
International maritime law of the free trade port (zone)
Location: Fortune Hall, Zhoushan CaiFu Hotel

Photo credit: Zhoushan High-tech Zone Administrative Committee
Published: 11 October, 2024

Alternative Fuels

SIBCON 2024: Vitol anticipates securing LNG bunker licence in Singapore

‘It would be unthinkable not to deploy at least one of the three barges Vitol has on order in Singapore,’ says Vitol’s Head of Asia Mike Muller during a panel discussion.

Published

2 days ago

October 11, 2024

Admin

SIBCON 2024: Vitol anticipates securing LNG bunker licence in Singapore

Energy trader Vitol’s Head of Asia Mike Muller on Wednesday (9 October) said the company is anticipating being granted a LNG bunker licence in Singapore soon.

“It would be unthinkable not to deploy at least one of the three barges Vitol has on order in Singapore,” he said.

Mike Muller made the announcement during the Viewing the Energy Transition Through the Lens panel discussion at the 23rd Singapore International Bunkering Conference (SIBCON).

“We expect to see growth in LNG use as a bunker fuel for at least another decade, and probably longer,” he added.

On the increasing uptake of biofuels, he said Vitol is seeing demand for biofuel blended bunkers in Singapore roughly doubling every year at the moment, heading for around 1 million mt this year and maybe 2 million mt next year.

“Demand for 100% biofuel from shipping customers is also starting to pick up as of this year and we have led the way in commissioning new IMO type 2 barges to fulfil this demand - indeed an important Asian customer of ours has taken three deliveries of B100 UCOME biofuel just in recent weeks here in Singapore,” Muller explained.

Manifold Times previously reported Vitol securing three LNG Bunkering Vessels (LNGBV) through its shipping company, Vitol International Shipping Pte Ltd (VIS).

The vessels were secured via a seven to ten year time charter agreement with Avenir LNG Limited (Avenir) and an order for two vessels at the CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co. Ltd shipyard in Nantong, China.

The time charter agreement with Avenir is for one newbuild 20,000m3 LNGBV. The time charter will commence at delivery from the shipyard in China in Q4 2026 and will serve a period of seven years with options to extend up to ten years in total

Vitol also ordered one 12,500 m3 and one 20,000 m3 LNGBV at the CIMC SOE shipyard in China. The vessels will be delivered in Q4 2026 and Q3 2027 respectively.

Photo credit: Vitol
Published: 11 October, 2024

Bunker Fuel

SIBCON 2024: Bunker players sign SCMA pledge to drive progress within Maritime Singapore

Bunker players involved include Consort Bunkers, Equatorial Marine Fuel, Golden Island, Hong Lam Marine, Kenoil Marine Services, Marubeni International Petroleum and Sinopec Fuel Oil.

Published

2 days ago

October 11, 2024

Admin

SIBCON 2024: Bunker players sign SCMA pledge to drive progress within Maritime Singapore

Some 10 bunker players on Tuesday (8 October) signed a pledge with Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA) at the 23rd Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition (SIBCON).

The bunker players involved are Consort Bunkers Pte Ltd, Equatorial Marine Fuel Management Services Pte Ltd, Fratelli Cosulich Bunkers (S) Pte Ltd, Global Energy Trading Pte Ltd, Golden Island Pte Ltd, Hong Lam Marine Pte Ltd, Kenoil Marine Services Pte Ltd, Marubeni International Petroleum (S) Pte Ltd, Sinopec Fuel Oil (Singapore) Pte ltd and Victory Pte Ltd.

SCMA and the pledgees will work together to promote and enhance the capabilities and opportunities within the Maritime Singapore community and ecosystem.

Among the aspirational goals embodied by the SCMA Pledge is that the pledgees give preferential consideration, where appropriate, for the use of the SCMA Arbitration Rules for the resolution of their maritime or international trade disputes.

The bunker players may also use its best endeavours to support the Maritime Singapore community and ecosystem, including contributing to the development and dissemination of best practices as well as providing support and opportunity to young maritime legal and dispute resolution professionals in the form of internships, mentorships, and educational seminars aimed at fostering the next generation of maritime leaders.

SCMA, a specialist arbitration institution, is the only arbitration institution in Singapore focused on maritime and international trade disputes.

It offers the maritime and international trade sectors a set of arbitration rules and guidelines which are flexible and cost effective.

Users of SCMA arbitration include maritime companies, international traders and commodity companies for the resolution of their disputes such as those involving charterparty, bunker, commercial sales, cargo, oil and gas, shipbuilding and ship repair.

Photo credit: Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration
Published: 11 October, 2024