Business

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Bunker supply tight in Houston, Panama suppliers grapple with tight HSFO; poor harvest dents bunker demand in Argentina.

Published

2 years ago

May 12, 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:

11 May 2023

Bunker supply tight in Houston
Panama suppliers grapple with tight HSFO
Poor harvest dents bunker demand in Argentina

North America

All fuel grades are in tight supply for prompt delivery dates in Houston. Demand has been good for VLSFO and LSMGO in the past week and several suppliers in Houston have held back offers for prompt dates due to tight delivery schedules, sources say.

Availability of prompt VLSFO and LSMGO stems is better in Bolivar Roads. Suppliers are able to deliver stems with a lead time of four days.

LSMGO availability is normal in Lake Charles. A supplier can supply on prompt dates.

Bad weather has triggered bunker suspensions in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) in recent days. Ongoing bad weather conditions have forced some suppliers to hold back deliveries. Operations are expected to resume with calmer weather later on Sunday and deliveries might be allowed to resume on a case-by-case basis.

HSFO availability is tight for prompt dates as well as for dates further out in the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles on the US West Coast. Only one supplier is able to offer the grade in the ports, and that is on a non-prompt basis.

VLSFO and LSMGO grades are also tight for prompt dates in the West Coast ports after demand picked up in the past week. However, some suppliers can deliver stems with a lead time of 7-8 days.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in New York. Suppliers' earliest delivery dates are mostly subject to enquiry in the East Coast port.

Caribbean and Latin America

HSFO is extremely tight in Panama. A supplier in Panama is out of HSFO to sell in Cristobal. One supplier requires two weeks to deliver stems in Balboa. Some suppliers have held back offers in wait for confirmation of a resupply date.

However, securing VLSFO and LSMGO for prompt dates is possible in Panama. Most suppliers are able to offer LSMGO and VLSFO stems within 4-5 days of lead time.

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

VLSFO delivery is tight for prompt dates in Jamaica’s Kingston. One supplier can accommodate stems after 22 May.

VLSFO and LSMGO supply is good for very prompt dates in Brazilian ports of Santos and Rio Grande. Most suppliers can deliver stems within 4-6 days of lead time.

For Rio de Janeiro, demand has been low in the past week. Availability is good for prompt dates in the port.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal for prompt dates at Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage. Most suppliers are able to deliver stems within five days of lead time. However, bunker operations are likely to be disrupted at the anchorage on Friday evening due to strong wind gusts.

Argentina has been suffering from a drought that has curbed crop production, which has slowed down exports, vessel traffic and bunker demand in the region. Some suppliers in Zona Comun are struggling with ample bunker fuel stocks, which has led to downward pressure on prices as they have been keen to sell their products.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 12 May, 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

21 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

21 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

21 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