Business

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Bunker supply improves in Houston area; bad weather still disrupting GOLA bunkering; VLSFO and LSMGO supply normal in Zona Comun.

Published

2 years ago

February 10, 2023

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:

Bunker supply improves in Houston area
Bad weather still disrupting GOLA bunkering
VLSFO and LSMGO supply normal in Zona Comun

North America

VLSFO and LSMGO availability has improved in the Houston area and bunker locations off the US Gulf Coast. A lead time of 3-5 days is generally recommended, down from last week’s 5-8 days.

But securing stems for very prompt dates (0-3 days) can be harder in Houston as some suppliers have packed delivery schedules, a source says. Demand for prompt stems has been slower this week, while many buyers have been rushing to secure bunkers for dates further out.

On 28 January, Valero’s 255,000 b/d nameplate capacity Houston refinery started a 35-day turnaround period for four processing units, according to market intelligence provider Industrial Info Resources (IIR). The refinery produces bunker fuels, ultra-low sulphur diesel, gasoline and other products.

Valero was unable to comment on the refinery maintenance when ENGINE reached out to. However, sources have informed that Valero has been offering VLSFO and LSMGO grades as normal in the Houston bunker market in recent days, a source said.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is said to be normal in the East Coast port of New York. Recommended lead times are about four days for both grades.

Rough weather continues to disrupt bunkering in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA). Most suppliers have pulled back prompt offers due to intermittent bad weather conditions, a trader says.

GOLA is currently experiencing wind gusts of 25 knots, with winds forecasted to intensify to gale-force on Friday and Saturday.

All grades remain tight for prompt delivery dates in the West Coast ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. A long lead time of at least 10-12 days is generally recommended for VLSFO and LSMGO. But some suppliers can supply LSMGO stems of 500 mt or less in Long Beach with shorter lead times.

Bunker fuel availability remains normal in Mexico’s Manzanillo. Recommended lead times are about five days for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO.

Caribbean and Latin America

Securing VLSFO and LSMGO for very prompt dates (0-3 days) can be possible in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal, but these offers are generally quoted on a subject to enquiry basis, a source says. However, securing larger quantities of 500 mt or above can be difficult on a very prompt basis.

Certain suppliers can deliver VLSFO stems in Balboa with lead times of 6-7 days, while LSMGO stems can be delivered within three days. Another supplier's earliest delivery date is 13 days out in Balboa. And yet another will need a lead time of four days to deliver in Cristobal.

The low sulphur grades are also tight with a supplier in Jamaica's Kingston, which has its earliest delivery date 11-12 days out.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal for deliveries in Trinidad. Very prompt deliveries with a lead time of 2-3 days are possible in the port.

Availability is also normal for deliveries at Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage. One supplier requires four days of lead time to deliver VLSFO and LSMGO stems. However, strong wind gusts are forecast in Zona Comun and could disrupt bunker deliveries over the weekend.

By Nithin Chandran and Debarati Bhattacharjee

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 10 February, 2023

Winding up

Singapore: Annual general meetings scheduled for Xihe Holdings subsidiaries

Development includes Da Xin Tankers, Dong Sheng Tankers, Dong Ya Tankers and Hua Zhong Shipping; meetings will be held electronically on 7 and 8 May, according to Government Gazette notices.

Published

19 hours ago

April 23, 2025

Admin

Several notices were published on the Government Gazette on Tuesday (22 April) regarding the annual general meetings of the companies and creditors to be held electronically on 22 April for Xihe Holdings subsidiaries.

The subsidiaries are Dong Sheng Tankers Pte Ltd, Da Xin Tankers Pte Ltd, Dong Ya Tankers Pte Ltd, and Hua Zhong Shipping Pte Ltd.

Annual general meeting for Dong Sheng Tankers are to be held on 8 May at the following times:

For the company: 2pm

Annual general meetings for Da Xin Tankers are to be held on 7 May at the following times:

For the company: 10am
For the creditors: 11am

Annual general meetings for Dong Ya Tankers are to be held on 8 May at the following times:

For the company: 10am
For the creditors: 11am

Annual general meetings for Hua Zhong Shipping are to be held on 7 May at the following times:

For the company: 2pm
For the creditors: 3pm

The agenda for all the meetings are:

To receive an update on the liquidation.
To receive an account of the Liquidators’ acts and dealings, and of the conduct of the winding up

Manifold Times previously reported on the winding up of Da Xin Tankers, Dong Ya Tankers and Hua Zhong Shipping Pte Ltd and the appointment of the joint and several liquidators of the firms.

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
Published: 23 April, 2025

LNG Bunkering

Osaka Gas launches shore-to-ship LNG bunkering service at its terminal

Company says it is the first gas utility company in Japan to offer LNG bunker fuel at its terminal to vessels and is also exploring the potential of replacing LNG with e-methane as a marine fuel.

Published

20 hours ago

April 23, 2025

Admin

Osaka Gas launches shore-to-ship LNG bunkering service at its terminal

Osaka Gas on Monday (21 April) said it has launched its shore-to-ship LNG bunkering service, becoming the first gas utility company in Japan to offer liquefied natural gas (LNG) at its terminal to vessels.

The first delivery took place today at Osaka Gas’ Senboku LNG Terminal in Takaishi City, Osaka Prefecture, where LNG was supplied to Verde Heraldo, a bulker operated by Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL).

Manifold Times previously reported that the bulker will sail under long-term transport contracts to supply raw materials for JFE Steel Corporation's mills.

With the launch of the shore-to-ship service, in addition to its existing truck-to-ship LNG bunkering service—operational since 2019—Osaka Gas enhances its LNG fuel delivery capabilities to address the current scarcity of facilities in Japan that can supply LNG to vessels.

The company’s future plans include the introduction of a ship-to-ship LNG bunkering service utilising a dedicated LNG bunkering vessel, scheduled to commence in fiscal 2026.

These supply methods aim to provide a stable and flexible LNG fuel supply to an increasing number of LNG-fuelled vessels as the maritime industry transitions away from heavy fuel oil.

This growth in LNG-fuelled vessels is driven by global decarbonisation trends and the International Maritime Organization’s target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Through its LNG bunkering services, Osaka Gas is well-positioned to contribute to maritime industry sustainability.

Osaka Gas launches shore-to-ship LNG bunkering service at its terminal

In addition to expanding LNG fuel supply to vessels, Osaka Gas is exploring the potential of replacing LNG with e-methane as a marine fuel.

Photo credit: Osaka Gas
Published: 23 April, 2025

Alternative Fuels

Japan: J-ENG begins co-firing of first full-scale marine engine with ammonia

Company says the first Japanese-developed and manufactured commercial full-scale, low-speed, ammonia-fuelled two-stroke engine has started co-firing operation with ammonia.

Published

20 hours ago

April 23, 2025

Admin

Japan: J-ENG begins co-firing of first full-scale marine engine with ammonia

Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) on Monday (21 April) said the first Japanese-developed and manufactured commercial full-scale, low-speed, ammonia-fuelled two-stroke engine has started co-firing operation with ammonia, which will be installed in a vessel.

J-ENG is developing the engine under the “Green Innovation Fund Project: Next-generation Ship Development” of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

Since May 2023, when J-ENG started the world's first ammonia co-firing operation of a large, low-speed, two-stroke engine in a test engine, J-ENG has obtained many results and knowledge, including stable operation at high ammonia co-firing rates and safe handling of ammonia, through various test operations over a period of about a year and a half.

J-ENG will conduct verification operations on the full-scale engine and plans to ship the engine in October of this year. The engine will be installed on an Ammonia-fuelled Medium Gas Carrier (AFMGC) and then demonstration operations of the vessel will be carried out then.

In order to accommodate a wide variety of ammonia-fueled vessels, J-ENG is also concurrently developing an ammonia-fueled engine with a cylinder bore of 60cm, following the first engine with a 50cm cylinder bore mentioned above, for several promising follow-on projects.

Furthermore, after achieving the development and social implementation of these engines, the company has decided to construct a new plant with the support of a subsidy project by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism through the GX Economic Transition Bonds.

The new plant, which is scheduled for completion in 2028, will expand the production of ammonia fuel engines (in the product mix with fuel oil engines) and promote the spread and expansion of zero-emission ships.

“J-ENG, as a first mover of next-generation fuel engines, will contribute to the development of the Japanese shipping and shipbuilding industries through the early launch and expansion of these engines, and at the same time, contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG) in international shipping and the achievement of carbon neutrality by 2050,” the company said on its website.

Photo credit: Japan Engine Corporation
Published: 23 April, 2025