Business

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Prompt supply tight in Houston; suppliers pricing VLSFO competitively in Zona Comun; bad weather impacts GOLA bunkering.

Published

2 years ago

April 28, 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:

27 April 2023

Prompt supply tight in Houston
Suppliers pricing VLSFO competitively in Zona Comun
Bad weather impacts GOLA bunkering

North America

Securing VLSFO and LSMGO stems for very prompt delivery dates (0-2 days) in the Houston area and off the US Gulf Coast is difficult. Some suppliers in Houston have held back offers for very prompt dates due to tight delivery schedules, while some are expecting VLSFO replenishments. A lead time of five days is generally recommended to ensure coverage from all suppliers.

In Bolivar Roads, one supplier can supply VLSFO and LSMGO stems with lead times of six days.

Bad weather has triggered intermittent bunker suspensions in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) in recent days. Ongoing bad weather has forced some suppliers to hold back deliveries.

As a result, it can be hard to fix VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries for prompt dates in GOLA. One supplier is hesitant to supply prompt stems as it works to clear previous weather backlogs, a source says. The supplier is unable to guarantee prompt dates for deliveries.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is said to be normal at the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA).

Bunker fuel availability is normal in the East Coast port of New York.

Caribbean and Latin America

Bunker fuel availability is said to be normal in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal. One supplier can supply VLSFO and LSMGO stems for very prompt dates (0-2 days) in Balboa, while HSFO supply requires lead times of at least 3-4 days.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal off Trinidad. One supplier can supply stems on prompt dates.

One supplier in Paramaribo is running low on VLSFO stocks, a source says. Another supplier requires at least 4-5 days of lead times.

Prompt availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal in Colombia’s Santa Marta. In Buenaventura, one supplier can supply LSMGO stems through trucks but requires at least seven days of lead time.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal at Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage. The earliest delivery date with a supplier is about five days, while another supplier requires lead times of six days. Suppliers in Zona Comun have been pricing VLSFO at rare discounts or at parity with Houston’s VLSFO since February.

Argentina is a major grain exporter, but a recent drought in the country has curbed crop production, which has had a knock-on impact on exports and bunker demand. Some Argentinian suppliers are struggling with ample bunker stocks. This has added to the downward pressure on prices as they have been keen to sell their products.

VLSFO availability is good in Brazil’s Santos port. One supplier is able to supply stems for prompt dates.

By Nithin Chandran

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 28 April, 2023

Biofuel

NYK to launch Japan’s first antioxidant for biodiesel bunker fuel in August

When added to biofuel, BioxiGuard slows progression of oxidative degradation and helps deter issues such as metal corrosion, strainer blockage, and cleaning-system fouling often triggered by oxidised fuel.

Published

15 hours ago

May 22, 2025

Admin

Japan’s first antioxidant by NYK for biodiesel bunker fuel set to release in August

Nippon Yuka Kogyo (Nippon Yuka), an NYK Group company specialising in chemical R&D as well as the manufacture and sale of chemical products, on Wednesday (21 May) announced the upcoming release of BioxiGuard, the Japan’s first antioxidant specially developed for marine biodiesel, from 10 August.

NYK said compared with conventional petroleum-based fuels, biofuel contains a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, making it more susceptible to oxidative degradation. Once oxidised, the biofuel can produce acidic substances and sludge, adversely affecting vessel fuel efficiency by reducing the fuel’s calorific value.

Developed by Nippon Yuka based on property analyses of the biofuel used in NYK-operated vessels, BioxiGuard is specifically formulated to enhance the oxidation stability of biodiesel. When added to biofuel, BioxiGuard slows the progression of oxidative degradation and helps deter issues such as metal corrosion, strainer blockage, and cleaning-system fouling often triggered by oxidised fuel.

According to laboratory tests conducted by Nippon Yuka researchers, the addition of BioxiGuard at a concentration of 1 part per 500 resulted in an approximate 50% reduction in the rate of biofuel degradation compared to untreated biofuel.

This significant improvement underscores the potential for vessel operators to not only extend the useful life of biofuel on board but also maintain more stable and cost-effective vessel operations.

Photo credit: NYK
Published: 22 May, 2025

Wind-assisted

Dealfeng to equip Singapore-based Hung Ze’s chemical tankers with rotor sails

Project marks Chinese firm Dealfeng’s first overseas commercial contract for its wind-assisted propulsion technology which entails equipping a new series of 14,000 DWT chemical tankers with Dealfeng Rotor Sails.

Published

15 hours ago

May 22, 2025

Admin

Singapore-based Hung Ze chemical tankers to be equipped with Dealfeng rotor sails

Dealfeng, a Chinese provider of wind-assisted propulsion systems, on Tuesday (20 May) said it has assigned a cooperation agreement with Singapore-based shipowner Hung Ze Shipping.

The partnership will equip a new series of 14,000 DWT chemical tankers with Dealfeng® Rotor Sails.

Each vessel will feature a 5m x 24m Dealfeng Rotor Sail installed on its forecastle deck. Collaborating with maritime software leader NAPA, the project will utilise route optimisation systems to maximise the efficiency of wind-assisted voyages, further enhancing fuel savings and emissions reduction while improving overall energy performance.

“The first vessel in the series is scheduled for delivery with the rotor sail system in the fourth quarter of 2025. Preliminary calculations indicate that the technology will achieve approximately 8% fuel savings on the vessel’s trading routes,” the company said in a social media post.

The project marked Dealfeng’s first overseas commercial contract for its wind-assisted propulsion technology.

Dealfeng, a clean energy technology company specialising in the R&D, manufacturing, and EPC services of shipborne energy-saving systems, has long focused on developing Wind Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS). Its core product, the Rotor Sail, harnesses wind energy via the Magnus effect to provide auxiliary propulsion for vessels.

Tailored to different ship types, the system offers fuel and carbon emission reductions of 5%–25%, with even greater efficiency under favorable wind conditions. Dealfeng’s Rotor Sail technology has obtained certifications from multiple classification societies and has been successfully deployed across numerous vessels, accumulating years of operational experience that validate its safety, reliability, and effectiveness.

Hung Ze operates a diverse fleet ranging from 5,000 DWT vessels to MR product tankers.

Photo credit: Dealfeng
Published: 22 May, 2025

Newbuilding

Höegh Autoliners latest LNG dual-fuel PCTC en route to Shanghai for bunkering

The 9,100 CEU “Höegh Sunrise”, currently sailing the seas, is on its way to Shanghai for bunkering before sailing to Japan and then towards Europe.

Published

15 hours ago

May 22, 2025

Admin

Höegh Autoliners latest LNG dual-fuel PCTC en route to Shanghai for bunkering

Höegh Autoliners on Tuesday (20 May) said its latest liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel pure car and truck carrier has departed China Merchants Heavy Industry’s yard, ready to commence its commercial operations.

The 9,100 CEU Höegh Sunrise, currently sailing the seas, is on its way to Shanghai for bunkering before sailing to Japan and then towards Europe.

The PCTC is the fifth in a series of 12 Aurora Class vessels built by the shipyard in China. The first eight Auroras are or will be equipped with engines primed to run on LNG and low-sulphur oil.

These vessels can be converted to run on ammonia later. By 2027, Höegh Autoliners said the four last vessels of the series will be able to run net zero on ammonia directly from the yard when delivered.

Manifold Times previously reported the naming ceremony of Höegh Autoliner’s fourth Aurora Class newbuild, Höegh Sunlight, at Taicang Haitong Auto Terminal.