Panama bunker sales rose to five-month highs in August
More vessels arriving to bunker contributed to push Panama’s total bunker sales up in August.
Panama bunker sales since January 2020
Changes in Panama bunker fuel sales from July to August:
- Total sales up 8,000 mt to 420,000 mt
- HSFO sales up 9,000 mt to 83,000 mt
- VLSFO sales down 900 mt to 292,000 mt
- LSMGO sales up 400 mt to 35,000 mt
- 0.50% MGO sales down 1,000 mt to 9,000 mt
The number of ships bunkering in Panama’s ports rose by 12 on the month, to 630 in August. This was the highest figure since March this year. The average stem size was 667 mt, almost unchanged from July, according to preliminary figures from the Panama Maritime Authority.
HSFO sales grew by 12% in August, followed by a 1% increase in LSMGO sales. VLSFO sales remained roughly unchanged in August.
There were 31 barges in operation during August, one more than in July.
Despite a monthly rise in August, bunker sales were 6% lower in the first eight months of the year compared to the same period last year. LSMGO sales were down the most over this period, recording a 20% drop.
VLSFO continued to be the most sought-after product in August, and accounted for 70% of total sales in Panama. HSFO sales represented 19% of the total and combined MGO sales at 11%.
Total bunker sales were still 11% lower than a year earlier in August. This could be attributed to the decrease in vessel transits through the Panama Canal because of low water levels in Gatun Lake, which forms a major part of the Panama Canal.
The daily transits were limited to 32 in July by the Panama Canal Authority, which is lower than the typical average of 38.
VLSFO and LSMGO availability was good throughout August, and most suppliers were able to supply both fuel grades with a lead time of 3-5 days.
By Debarati Bhattacharjee
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