Business

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Hurricane Ian disrupts bunker deliveries across Florida; Houston HSFO and VLSFO prices down to nine-month lows; Zona Comun recovers from brief bunker disruptions.

Published

3 years ago

September 30, 2022

Admin

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:

29 September 2022

Hurricane Ian disrupts bunker deliveries across Florida
Houston HSFO and VLSFO prices down to nine-month lows
Zona Comun recovers from brief bunker disruptions

North America

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO grades are readily available in the Houston area and off the US Gulf Coast. Houston’s VLSFO benchmark fell to nine-month lows earlier this week, before recovering some of these losses.

Bunker availability has remained steady in Houston and New York in recent weeks, with prompt deliveries more readily available compared to other bunker hubs where prompt suppliers are still unpredictable.

All grades remain tight for prompt dates in Long Beach and Los Angeles ports on the US West Coast. Some suppliers in Long Beach have held back prompt VLSFO offers, while another requires at least nine days of lead time.

As the Category 4 Hurricane Ian approached and hit Florida’s coastline this week, bunker operations have been disrupted in Port Tampa Bay and the smaller nearby ports of St. Petersburg and Port Charlotte.

On Thursday, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) downgraded Hurricane Ian from Category 4 to Category 1 as wind speeds had been reduced after it moved more inland toward Florida. But NHC has warned that a storm surge is expected to continue Thursday and Friday along the coast of northeast Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

Prompt bunker supplies remain difficult to find in Port Everglades in Miami. Several suppliers are hesitant to confirm delivery dates due to Hurricane Ian. Some buyers are struggling to secure truck deliveries, which are even harder to find now, sources say.

With bunker operations almost at standstill in Florida, vessels have been diverted to other regional ports to bunker. Demand has grown for very prompt bunker deliveries (1-3 days) at ports such as New Orleans, Galveston and Corpus Christi further west in the Gulf of Mexico. These ports have been less impacted by Hurricane Ian.

Some suppliers are offering VLSFO and LSMGO for prompt dates at the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA).

Availability remains steady across all grades in Mexico’s Manzanillo. Recommended lead times for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO are about five days out.

Further north in the Americas, LSMGO supply is tight in Montreal. The earliest delivery date with a supplier is about 8-10 days ahead.

Caribbean and Latin America

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO availability is readily available with some suppliers in Panama’s Balboa, while pressure on Cristobal’s smaller number of barges is keeping prompt availability tight there. Meanwhile, one supplier in Cristobal can accommodate some prompt supplies.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight for prompt dates off Trinidad. A supplier is set to receive a resupply cargo in the coming days and requires a lead time of about seven days.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal in Colombia’s Santa Marta. The earliest delivery date with a supplier there is about 6-7 days out. Another can offer supply with a shorter lead time.

VLSFO supply has improved in Brazil’s Santos. The earliest lead time with a supplier has halved on the week, to 5-7 days now.

Bunker operations were disrupted in Argentinian ports last weekend, as a tugboat workers union striked over wage disputes. Operations resumed later on Monday after the union called off the strike.

Recommended lead times of VLSFO and LSMGO in Zona Comun are about 6-7 days.

By Nithin Chandran

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 30 September, 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