Panama bunker sales dropped in June

Panama's total bunker sales dropped by 3% in June, despite more vessels arriving for bunkers.

Changes in Panama bunker fuel sales from May to June:

• Total sales down 12,000 mt to 386,000 mt
• HSFO sales down 9,000 mt to 109,000 mt
• VLSFO sales down 9,000 mt to 236,000 mt
• LSMGO sales up 3,000 mt to 34,000 mt
• 0.50% MGO sales up 3,000 mt to 7,000 mt

The number of ships bunkering in Panama’s ports rose from 480 in May to 516 in June – the highest since November 2023. The average stem size was roughly 750 mt in June, down from 830 mt in May, according to preliminary figures from the Panama Maritime Authority.

VLSFO sales dropped by 4% on the month and HSFO sales dropped by 8%. LSMGO sales gained by 8% to their highest monthly level since December 2023.

One barge was added in Panama, bringing the total count to 29 barges in June.

Bunker-only vessel calls in June decreased by 8%, or 42 calls, compared to June of the previous year. Despite this decline, the total number of bunker-only calls has increased by 20 since January.

After months of tightening restrictions due to declining water levels in its reservoirs, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has boosted its vessel transit capacity. Booking slots have been raised from 32 to 34 from 22 July and to 35 slots from 5 August, marking a positive shift in Panama’s efforts to combat drought conditions caused by El Niño.

Panama’s total bunker sales for the first six months of this year are about 8% lower compared to the same period last year.

Bunker fuel availability remained good in Panamanian ports last month. Lead times were around 5-7 days for all fuel grades, a source said.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

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