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ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Bunkering resumes across Florida following Hurricane Ian; Houston prices recover from multi-month lows; high winds trigger suspension in Zona Comun.

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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:

6 October 2022

By Nithin Chandran

  • Bunkering resumes across Florida following Hurricane Ian
  • Houston prices recover from multi-month lows
  • High winds trigger suspension in Zona Comun

North America

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO grades are readily available in the Houston area, New York and off the US Gulf Coast. Houston's VLSFO and HSFO benchmarks fell to multi-month lows last week, but have recovered some of these losses mainly due to Brent’s rebound.

Houston’s HSFO price fell to rare discounts to Rotterdam’s in rent days, before flipping back to a small premium now. Its HSFO availability has held up better than Rotterdam’s, where prompt supply can be hard to find.

Houston's bunker fuel availability has remained normal in recent weeks, compared to other bunker hubs where lead times can be more unpredictable.

Prompt LSMGO can be tight in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA). The earliest delivery dates with two suppliers are about 4-5 days ahead. One supplier expects LSMGO resupply this week, which should ease some pressure.

Port operations and bunkering resumed in Florida’s Port Tampa Bay last weekend, following Hurricane Ian that hit the port last Wednesday. Several suppliers have resumed offering deliveries for prompt dates and for dates further out in Port Tampa Bay. But bunker deliveries by truck have been difficult to find this week as some trucks have been deployed for disaster relief work after Hurricane Ian struck, sources say.

Supply remains tight across all fuel grades in US West Coast ports. Some suppliers in Long Beach and Los Angeles are fully booked for prompt dates. A lead time of at least 10 days is generally recommended to ensure timely deliveries.

VLSFO supply for prompt dates in San Francisco is tight. The earliest delivery date with a supplier is 6-8 days out, another can offer deliveries from 20 October.

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

Caribbean and Latin America

All grades are tight for prompt dates in Panama’s Cristobal. The earliest delivery dates with two suppliers are about 8-9 days for VLSFO and LSMGO. Several suppliers have insisted that deliveries should instead be made in Balboa, where prompt VLSFO and LSMGO grades are slightly easier to find, sources say.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight for prompt dates off Trinidad. The earliest delivery date with two suppliers is about 6-7 days out. Another can offer LSMGO only.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal in Colombia’s Santa Marta. The earliest delivery date with a supplier there is about three days out.

VLSFO supply is normal in Brazil’s Rio Grande. A supplier can offer deliveries for prompt dates, sources say.

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO is tight at the Zona Comun anchorage in Argentina. Recommended lead times are about 7-8 days. Bunker operations were suspended on Wednesday at Zona Comun amid high winds. Calmer weather conditions could allow bunkering to resume on Thursday.

But wind speeds are set to pick up again with potential bunker disruptions from Friday evening through to Sunday.

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 7 October, 2022

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LNG Bunkering

Malaysia: Port of Tanjung Pelepas achieves milestone with first SIMOPS LNG bunkering op

LNG bunker vessel “MT Paolina Cosulich” refuelled LNG dual-fuel container ship “Bangkok Express”, operated by Hapag-Lloyd AG at the port.

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Malaysia: Port of Tanjung Pelepas achieves milestone with first SIMOPS LNG bunkering op

Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) on Sunday (16 February) said it successfully conducted its first Simultaneous Operations (SIMOPS) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering.

This significant achievement involved the LNG dual-fuel container ship Bangkok Express, operated by Hapag-Lloyd AG, and the LNG bunker vessel MT Paolina Cosulich.

“This milestone underscores PTP's dedication to enhancing our competitive edge in the global market by facilitating clean and efficient maritime operations,” the port said in a social media post.

“We are proud to have partnered with PETCO Trading Labuan Co., Ltd. (PTLCL) and Hapag-Lloyd on this pioneering initiative.”

Manifold Times previously reported the port also achieving its first LNG bunkering operation last year. 

The port completed its first-ever ship-to-containership methanol bunkering operation in November last year. 

Manifold Times previously reported the port achieving its first LNG bunkering operation last year. 

Related: Malaysia: Port of Tanjung Pelepas achieves milestone with first methanol bunkering op
Related: Malaysia: Port of Tanjung Pelepas completes first LNG bunkering operation
Related: Malaysia: Tanjung Pelepas selected to join P41 initiative to achieve green bunkering hub ambition
Related: Port Of Tanjung Pelepas joins G2G decarbonisation scheme between Malaysia and Australia

 

Photo credit: Port of Tanjung Pelepas
Published: 18 February, 2025

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LNG Bunkering

Kunlun Energy wraps up first STS offshore LNG bunkering operation in Hong Kong

Kunlun Energy, a red-chip controlled by PetroChina, said its bunkering vessel refuelled container ship “Zim Haifa Blue Stone” with 2,200 metric tonnes of LNG bunker fuel in a seven-hour operation.

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Kunlun Energy wraps up first STS offshore LNG bunkering op in Hong Kong

Kunlun Energy, a red-chip controlled by PetroChina, on Monday (17 February) said it completed Hong Kong’s first ship-to-ship (STS) offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation on 14 February. 

Kunlun Energy's 8,300 m3 capacity LNG bunkering vessel refuelled the container ship Zim Haifa Blue Stone with 2,200 metric tonnes (mt) of LNG in a seven-hour operation. 

The bunkering vessel involved in the operation is operated by a Kunlun Energy subsidiary. 

According to a PetroChina official, the receiving vessel Zim Haifa Blue Stone departed from Busan, South Korea, on 3 February and passed through Qingdao, Shanghai, and Ningbo before arriving in Hong Kong on 12 February. 

Its final destination is Istanbul, Turkey. This refuelling operation can meet the ship's fuel needs for the entire journey. 

“The successful implementation of this "ship-to-ship" offshore LNG bunkering operation is another example of Kunlun Energy's efforts to help improve the international shipping hub of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area,” Kunlun Energy said. 

“It is expected to attract more green-fuel vessels to pass through Hong Kong, encourage more environmentally friendly companies to conduct business in Hong Kong, accelerate transformation and technological innovation in the shipping industry, and promote the construction of Hong Kong as a green and smart port.”

“This operation holds significant importance for Hong Kong's push toward a green and sustainable shipping industry.”

 

Photo credit: Kunlun Energy
Published: 18 February, 2025

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Biofuel

Wallenius Wilhelmsen successfully completes its first biofuel bunkering trial in Japan

“M/V Tamesis” bunkered 400 metric tonnes of B24 VLSFO blended biofuel, supplied by Mitsubishi Corporation Energy at Port of Yokohama.

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Wallenius Wilhelmsen successfully completes its first biofuel bunkering trial in Japan

Wallenius Wilhelmsen on Monday (17 February) said it has successfully completed its first biofuel bunkering trial at the Port of Yokohama in Japan.

M/V Tamesis bunkered 400 metric tonnes (mt) of B24 VLSFO blended biofuel, supplied by Mitsubishi Corporation Energy. 

This milestone is part of Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s ongoing efforts to reduce its environmental impact and promote sustainability in shipping.

“As part of our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we have expanded our locations for biofuel supply. Since 2023, the expansion has included key ports in Belgium, Korea and Singapore,” the company said.

“Expanding to Japan enhances our ability to operate more efficiently and sustainably across our global network.”

Wallenius Wilhelmsen has set ambitious emission reduction targets to reach net-zero by 2040. This includes a 40% absolute reduction of well-to-wake greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to our 2022 baseline, as approved by the Science Based Targets initiative.

Yasuyuki Sakurai, Senior Manager, the Orcelle Accelerator taskforce at Wallenius Wilhelmsen, said: “Achieving these targets require a major shift in energy sources from conventional fuels to low and zero-carbon alternatives. Expanding supply locations and securing sufficient biofuels remain a priority, and we are pleased to have conducted our first B24 VLSFO blended biofuel bunkering trial in Yokohama.”

“While our Reduced Carbon Service customers fully support our mass-balance concept, ensuring sufficient biofuel usage across our entire fleet and trade lanes is key to achieving our long-term sustainability goals.”

Mitsuo Ueda, General Manager of Mitsubishi Corporation Energy, said: “In anticipation of growing demand for biofuel in the marine sector, we have begun storing biofuel at our oil terminal in Onahama (Fukushima Prefecture) and supplying B24 in Tokyo Bay using our barges.:

“We deeply admire Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s leadership in the decarbonisation of the shipping industry and remain committed to playing our part in creating a more sustainable future. We will continue striving to meet industry needs through a stable supply of biofuels and contribute to the realisation of a carbon-neutral society.”

This milestone was achieved through close collaboration between Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s Energy Sourcing team and the Orcelle Accelerator taskforce, which has worked for the past two years to establish biofuel bunkering capabilities in Japan.

 

Photo credit: Wallenius Wilhelmsen
Published: 18 February, 2025

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