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

3 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: Notice of intended dividend issued for Xihe Holdings’ subsidiaries

Creditors will need to produce proofs of debt to liquidators of Da Xin Tankers and Nan Chiau Maritime by 5 August, according to Government Gazette notice.

Published

5 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Admin

Two notices to declare the intended dividend of Xihe Holdings’ subsidiaries to their creditors have been posted on the Government Gazette on Wednesday (22 July).

The subsidiaries are Da Xin Tankers Pte Ltd and Nan Chiau Maritime Pte Ltd.

The following are the details of the notices of intended dividend:

Name of Company : Da Xin Tankers (Pte) Ltd (In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation)
Unique Entity No. / Registration No. : 198400895W
Address of Registered Office : c/o Grant Thornton Singapore Private Limited, 8 Marina View, #40-04/05 Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960
Last Day for Receiving Proofs : 5 August 2026 at 5:00 pm by email to [email protected]
Name of Liquidators : Paresh Tribhovan Jotangia and Ho May Kee
Address : c/o Grant Thornton Singapore Private Limited, 8 Marina View, #40-04/05 Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960

Name of Company : Nan Chiau Maritime (Pte.) Ltd. (In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation)
Unique Entity No. / Registration No.: 200814296Z
Address of Registered Office : c/o Grant Thornton Singapore Private Limited, 8 Marina View, #40-04/05 Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960
Last Day for Receiving Proofs : 5 August 2026 at 5:00 pm by email to [email protected]
Name of Liquidators : Paresh Tribhovan Jotangia and Ho May Kee
Address : c/o Grant Thornton Singapore Private Limited, 8 Marina View, #40-04/05 Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960

Photo credit: steve pb from Pixabay
Published: 23 July, 2026

Biofuel

South Korea: S-Oil launches B30-VLSFO bio bunker fuel supply

Company says it has established an integrated operating system in the Ulsan region covering the entire value chain, from feedstock procurement and blending to supply.

Published

5 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Admin

South Korea: S-Oil launches B30-VLSFO bio bunker fuel supply

South Korean petroleum and refining company S-Oil on Wednesday (22 July) said it has started supplying B30 very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO), as the company seeks to support shipping’s decarbonisation efforts and growing demand for lower-carbon bunker fuels.

The company said its B30 VLSFO contains 30% sustainable biofuel blended with conventional VLSFO and can be used without requiring modifications to existing vessels, enabling shipowners to comply more readily with emissions regulations from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the European Union (EU).

S-Oil said it has established an integrated operating system in the Ulsan region covering the entire value chain, from feedstock procurement and blending to supply. The system combines VLSFO produced at its Onsan refinery with biofuel production facilities and storage infrastructure in the Ulsan region, allowing the entire process to be carried out within a single logistics hub.

According to the company, the integrated supply chain reduces transportation requirements during production while improving supply efficiency and reliability.

S-Oil also highlighted Ulsan Port as a strategic location for marine biofuel supply, noting the port has strong demand for bio-bunker fuels, particularly from car carriers, enabling prompt and stable deliveries to key customers.

An S-Oil official stated: “In the bio-marine fuel market, not only product quality but also securing a stable supply of raw materials and an efficient supply system are important competitive advantages.

“Based on our existing bunkering business capabilities and the excellent supply infrastructure in the Onsan area, we plan to supply stable and competitive low-carbon fuel.”

Photo credit: S-Oil
Published: 23 July, 2026

Decarbonisation

Yang Ming and PSA to develop integrated sea-land decarbonisation solutions

Both will explore solutions spanning emissions measurement and verification, a digital Book-and-Claim framework, and a joint maritime-land inset token package.

Published

5 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Admin

Yang Ming and PSA to develop integrated sea-land decarbonisation solutions

PSA International (PSA) on Monday (20 July) said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation (Yang Ming) to jointly accelerate the adoption of low-carbon solutions across the maritime value chain.

Beyond emissions measurement and verification, the collaboration will focus on a digital Book-and-Claim framework and a joint maritime-land based inset token package.

“This synergy provides cargo stakeholders with a transparent and accountable sea-land pathway to achieve their decarbonisation targets,” PSA said on its website.

Yang Ming launched the green transport service, EcoSea+. This initiative integrates Yang Ming’s low-carbon navigation capabilities to empower customers with a flexible and transparent strategy to effectively reduce their Scope 3 transportation emissions. By joining forces with PSA, Yang Ming is able to expand the impact of these sustainability actions beyond the ocean.

Building on its position as a global port operator, PSA advances its Node to Network strategy through integrated port and supply chain capabilities that enable a green network of terminal and landside operations to reduce end-to-end supply chain emissions.

The agreement was officially signed by Mr Ivan Chiang, Chief Logistics Officer & Senior Vice President of Yang Ming, and Mr Eddy Ng, Group Head of Operations, Technology and Sustainability of PSA International.

Mr Ong Kim Pong, PSA International Group CEO, said, “As responsible stewards of tomorrow, PSA is committed to delivering sustainable impact across the global port and supply chain ecosystem.

“Tackling the challenges arising from climate change will require the collective efforts of all players in the maritime supply chain sector. We are excited to partner Yang Ming on the decarbonisation of global supply chains and support the transition towards a more sustainable global economy.”

Photo credit: PSA International
Published: 23 July, 2026