Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (8 Feb 2024)

Tight prompt availability in Houston; good availability on the West Coast; low demand in Brazil.

Published

1 year ago

February 9, 2024

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:

Tight prompt availability in Houston
Good availability on the West Coast
Low demand in Brazil

North America

Bunker demand has dropped this week in Houston and several other ports along the US Gulf Coast, following strong demand in previous weeks. However, availability of all fuel grades remains tight for prompt dates in the region. Many suppliers are already fully booked due to high demand in recent weeks, and weather-related disruptions last weekend have also contributed to the tight supply situation.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is good in Beaumont. One supplier is willing to offer VLSFO and LSMGO stems there within four days.

Bunkering was proceeding normally in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) from Tuesday onwards, after being suspended earlier this week. However, strong wind gusts are forecast again from Sunday evening, which could potentially impact bunkering in the lightering area.

Availability of bunker fuel in GOLA, has improved this week and some suppliers are able to accommodate stems with a lead time of 4-6 days.

At the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA), demand for VLSFO and LSMGO has been stronger for delivery dates further out. Most suppliers are able to offer stems for non-prompt dates.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is getting tighter in Baltimore. One supplier needs a lead time of at least 10 days to deliver stems there.

Demand for VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries in the West Coast ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles remains low. However, the advised lead time for these deliveries is currently 5-7 days, which is better than the usual time frame, a source says. It is also possible to secure prompt HSFO in these ports now.

Improved HSFO availability in Los Angeles caused a significant drop in price over the past month, resulting in a Hi5 spread above $200/mt.

Over on the East Coast, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is said to be normal in New York.

Caribbean and Latin America

Suppliers in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal are able to offer VLSFO and LSMGO within 4-5 days of lead time. In Balboa, demand has improved slightly this week with several enquiries for VLSFO and LSMGO, compared to muted demand in previous weeks.

Prompt availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO remains tight off Trinidad and delivery prospects are subject to enquiries and subject to weather conditions there, a source says. However, a supplier is able to offer VLSFO stems with lead times ranging between 4-8 days.

Prompt deliveries of VLSFO and LSMGO are possible at Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage, with recommended lead times of 5-7 days. Bunker demand has been good in the past week. With calmer weather, suppliers have delivered stems as scheduled. However, suppliers at the anchorage are expected to experience strong wind gusts of 37-39 knots this evening. This could lead to delays and disruptions, a source says.

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO availability is good in Brazilian ports. One supplier can deliver stems with 3-4 days of lead time in Santos. However, demand for both grades has been low in Brazilian ports this week.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 9 February 2024

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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (14 May 2025)

Prompt supplies tight in the ARA; Gibraltar Strait congestion persists; ULSFO now available by truck in Piraeus.

Published

24 hours ago

May 15, 2025

Admin

The following article regarding Europe and Africa bunker fuel availability has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

Prompt supplies tight in the ARA
Gibraltar Strait congestion persists
ULSFO now available by truck in Piraeus

Northwest Europe

Prompt bunker availability of all conventional fuels has tightened in the ARA hub. Lead times of 5-6 days are advised for HSFO, while for VLSFO and LSMGO they are at 7-8 days. Lead times for HSFO and VLSFO remain largely consistent with last week, while that for LSMGO has increased from last week’s 3-5 days.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 6% higher so far in May than across April, according to Insights Global data. At 7.40 million bbls, the region’s fuel oil stocks have increased on a monthly average basis for the first time this year.

The ARA has imported 164,000 b/d of fuel oil in May, down compared to April’s 198,000 b/d, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa.

The UAE has emerged as the ARA’s topmost import source, making up 39% of the total share. Other import sources include Turkey (16%) and Poland (15%).

The region’s independent gasoil inventories – which include diesel and heating oil – have averaged 3% lower than in April. The ARA hub has imported a total of 347,000 b/d this month, a slight decrease from 358,000 b/d in April, according to Vortexa data.

In the Swedish port of Gothenburg and off Skaw, bunker supply remains limited, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of 10 days are advised for both locations across fuel grades.

Mediterranean

In Gibraltar Strait ports, prompt bunker availability remains tight with lead times of 8-9 days for all fuel grades, a trader said.

The ports continue to face some congestion, according to port agent MH Bland.

On Wednesday, Gibraltar had seven vessels awaiting bunkers due to limited bunker barge availability, the port agent said.

Algeciras also has some bunker delays. Its port authority has advised bunker suppliers to only use the Delta anchorage for bunker calls, in an effort to reduce the ongoing congestion there. Ships calling at Algeciras for other services should use the Alpha, Bravo or Charlie anchorages.

Across the Strait in Ceuta, three vessels were waiting to bunker at berths and seven vessels were scheduled to arrive for bunkers on Wednesday, according to shipping agent Jose Salama & Co.

The Portuguese port of Lisbon has good bunker supply and lead times of 3-5 days are recommended, according to a trader.

Lead times of 7-8 days are advised for all grades off Malta.

In Piraeus, prompt supply of conventional fuels remains on the tighter side, with HSFO availability subject to enquiry.

A supplier has started offering ULSFO by truck in Piraeus, as an alternative to LSMGO for vessels sailing in the new 0.10% sulphur-capped Emission Control Area (ECA) in the Mediterranean.

Suppliers in the Turkish port of Istanbul have prompt LSMGO supply, while lead times of 7-8 days are recommended for ULSFO. HSFO and VLSFO supplies remain very tight.

Africa

Availability of all grades is good in Lome, with lead times of 5-7 days recommended.

VLSFO is readily available in Luanda with 3-4 days of notice recommended, while LSMGO supply is still very tight, a trader said.

There is decent prompt availability of all grades off Walvis Bay. Lead times of 3-6 days advised.

The South African port of Durban has good bunker supply, with 2-4 days of lead time advised and weak demand, a trader said. LSMGO supply remains dry.

Port Louis in Mauritius has normal bunker availability. Lead times of 3-5 days are advised for all grades.

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 15 May, 2025

Bunker Fuel

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 4% on year in April 2025

4.40 million mt of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in April, up from 4.24 million mt recorded during the similar month in 2024.

Published

2 days ago

May 14, 2025

Admin

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 4% on year in April 2025

Sales of marine fuel at Singapore port increased by 4% on year in April 2025, according to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) data.

In total, 4.40 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,404,440 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in April, up from 4.24 million mt (4,235,160 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2024.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in April (against on year) recorded respectively 1.70 million mt (+6.3% from 1.60 million mt), 2.24 million mt (-0.4% from 2.25 million mt), zero (from zero), zero (-100% from 9,700 mt) and zero (from zero).

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Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in April (against on year) recorded respectively 33,300 mt (+100% from zero), 75,600 mt (+26.8% from 59,600 mt), 700 mt (+100% from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from zero). A new addition of biofuel blend, introduced in February this year, B100, recorded 300 mt in April.

LNG and methanol sales were posted respectively at 42,000 mt (+18% from 35,600) and zero (from zero). There were no recorded sales of ammonia for the month and so far in 2025.

A complete series of articles on Singapore bunker volumes by Manifold Times in 2024 can be found below:

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 14 May, 2025

Bunker Fuel

Panama bunker fuel sales up by 21.7% on year in April 2025

Total bunker sales at Panama was 459,126 metric tonnes in April 2025, compared to sales of 377,180 mt during the similar period in 2024, according to latest PMA data.

Published

2 days ago

May 14, 2025

Admin

Bunker fuel sales at Panama increased by about 21.7% in April 2025, according to the latest data from La Autoridad Maritima de Panama, also known as the Panama Maritime Authority (PMA).

Total bunker sales at Panama was 459,126 metric tonnes (mt) in April 2025, compared to sales of 377,180 mt during the similar period in 2024.

In April 2025, the Pacific side of Panama posted bunker sales of 388,111 mt; 224,027 mt of VLSFO, 121,890 mt of RMG 380, 2,485 of marine gas oil (MGO), and 39,709 mt of low sulphur marine gas oil (LSMGO) were delivered.

The similar region saw total marine sales of 302,766 mt a year before in April; with VLSFO sales at 170,075 mt, RMG 380 sales at 108,242 mt, MGO sales at 4,329 mt, and 20,120 mt of LSMGO being sold.

Panama’s Atlantic side, meanwhile, recorded total bunker fuel sales of 71,015 during April 2025; the figure comprised 49,544 mt of VLSFO, 11,442 mt of RMG 380, 1,456 mt of MGO, and 8,573 mt of LSMGO.

It saw total sales of 74,414 mt in April a year before; with VLSFO sales of 55,657 mt, RMG 380 sales of 5,851 mt, 3,338 mt of MGO, and LSMGO sales of 9,568 mt.

Photo credit: George Keel
Published: 14 May, 2025