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ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

LSMGO tight in NOLA; VLSFO and LSMGO readily available in Balboa; VLSFO supply tight in Paranagua.

Published

3 years ago

August 4, 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:

3 August 2023

LSMGO tight in NOLA
VLSFO and LSMGO readily available in Balboa
VLSFO supply tight in Paranagua

North America

Demand for all fuel grades has remained good in Houston this week. Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO for prompt dates is normal in the port, with lead times of 3-4 days advised. A few suppliers are also able to offer HSFO stems for prompt delivery dates there.

LSMGO and VLSFO prices have shot up in Houston partly due to the high cost of replenishment cargoes, a source says. It is likely that bunker fuel blenders’ access to fuel oil supply has been limited as a result of an increase in summer demand from the power sector.

The US fuel oil supply, or implied demand increased by a massive 64% in July, from an average of 169,000 b/d in June to nearly 277,000 b/d in July, according to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Beaumont. One supplier is able to offer both fuel grades with a lead time of three days. Demand has been low in Bolivar Roads this week. Availability is normal for prompt delivery dates.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal for prompt dates in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), a source says. Most suppliers can deliver HSFO stems with a longer lead time of 5-7 days. The offshore area is forecast to experience favourable weather conditions through this week, which would allow smooth bunker deliveries there.

Most suppliers can offer VLSFO for prompt dates at the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA) with a recommended lead time of 3-5 days. Availability of LSMGO can be tight there, but prompt deliveries are possible on a subject to enquiry basis.

LSMGO prices in the West Coast ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles have spiked this week. However, a few suppliers are able to offer the fuel grade within seven days in the ports. VLSFO can be available with a shorter lead time of 5-6 days due to low demand in the ports.

Demand for VLSFO and LSMGO in the East Coast port of New York has improved for prompt dates this week. Availability is also good, and most suppliers are able to deliver stems with a lead time of 3-4 days. For HSFO, there has been more demand for delivery dates further out.

Caribbean and Latin America

Some suppliers in Panama’s Balboa port can supply VLSFO and LSMGO for very prompt delivery dates. One supplier is able to deliver stems for both fuel grades immediately. HSFO stems can also be secured with a longer lead time of 6-7 days. In Cristobal, one supplier can deliver VLSFO and LSMGO stems with a lead time of three days.

Prompt availability of VLSFO and LSMGO remains normal off Trinidad.

VLSFO and LSMGO demand has picked up for delivery dates further out in Jamaica’s Kingston. Most suppliers are able to offer these stems.

Bunker operations have been running smoothly at Zona Comun anchorage in Argentina. Calmer weather is forecast over the weekend. However, strong winds of up to 28 knots are again expected to hit the region from Monday onwards, which could delay bunkering or trigger a suspension there. Some suppliers are not quoting for prompt stems as they fear potential delays in barge product loadings and deliveries over the next week, a source says.

Currently, few suppliers can deliver VLSFO and LSMGO stems in Zona Comun with a lead time of 6-7 days.

Prompt availability of VLSFO remains tight in Brazilian ports. One supplier requires at least eight days of lead time to deliver VLSFO stems in Brazil’s Paranagua. Demand for VLSFO and LSMGO stems has been low in other Brazilian ports like Rio Grande, Rio de Janeiro and Santos.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 4 August, 2023

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Singapore withdraws remaining 127 charges against Hin Leong founder OK Lim

Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges on 17 July.

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Founder of collapsed oil trader Hin Leong Trading, Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, has had the remaining 127 charges against him withdrawn, according to The Straits Times on Monday (20 July).

OK Lim was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges, including those for cheating, on 17 July. The discharge means Lim cannot be prosecuted again for the same offences.

Lim, 84, is currently serving a 13½-year prison sentence after the High Court reduced his original 17½-year jail term in March 2026. He was convicted in 2024 on two cheating charges and one count of abetting forgery in a case prosecutors described as one of Singapore’s most serious trade finance frauds.

Lim was convicted in May 2024 of two charges of cheating the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and one count of abetting forgery that proceeded to trial out of a total of 130 criminal charges.

He was first charged in court on 14 August 2020, and was subsequently handed further charges in court on 25 September 2020, 30 April 2021 and 24 June 2021 for his role in perpetuating fraud on various financial institutions.

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Published: 21 July, 2026

Winding up

Singapore: Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd to be wound up voluntarily

Coastal Logistics was reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

Published

5 hours ago

July 21, 2026

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Several resolutions for Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd were made during an extraordinary general meeting held on 14 July, according to a notice in the Government Gazette on Friday (4 July).

The following resolutions were duly passed during the meeting:

As Special Resolution

That it has been proved to the satisfaction of the meeting that the Company cannot by reason of its liabilities continue its business and accordingly the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 160(1)(b) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 (No. 40 of 2018);

As Ordinary Resolutions

that Mr. Wong Pheng Cheong Martin and Ms. Koay May Yee, both care of FTI Consulting (Singapore) Pte Ltd, One Raffles Quay, #27-10 South Tower, Singapore 048583 be appointed as the joint and several Liquidators of the Company for the purpose of such winding up; and
that the Liquidators be at liberty to open, maintain and operate any bank account(s) or account(s) for monies received by them as Liquidators with such bank(s) as they deem fit; and
that a Committee of Inspection will not be formed.

Manifold Times previously reported Nicholas James Gronow, director of Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping and Coastal Logistics, filed statutory declarations for both companies stating the firms cannot continue their businesses due to liabilities.

Both companies were reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

In 2019, several vessels owned by both firms entered the sale & purchase (S&P) market in Singapore.

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Published: 21 July, 2026

LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post.

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024.

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026