Panama bunker sales tick up in December
Bunker sales of HSFO and LSMGO increased, both on a total and daily average basis.
Changes in Panama bunker fuel sales from November to December:
- Total sales up about 33,000 mt to 479,000 mt
- VLSFO sales down around 7,000 mt to 295,000 mt
- LSMGO sales up about 200 mt to 46,000 mt
- HSFO 380 sales up nearly 39,000 mt to 132,000 mt
- 0.5% MGO sales up around 2,900 mt to 5,700 mt
VLSFO sales fell by about 2% in the month in December, while LSMGO volumes edged slightly higher. HSFO sales surged by around 42%.
The shift in December sales followed a weaker November, with HSFO driving most of the month-on-month growth, according to preliminary data from the Panama Maritime Authority.
Total sales averaged about 15,400 mt/day in December, up from roughly 14,400 mt/day in November.
A total of 656 ships bunkered in Panama’s ports in December, higher than November’s 629 ships, while the number of barges operating increased to 31.
The average stem size rose to around 730 mt, from about 709 mt in the previous month.
VLSFO remained the dominant grade in Panama’s bunker market in December, accounting for around 62% of total sales.
HSFO’s share rose to about 28%, while MGO volumes made up roughly 10% of overall sales.
Bunker demand in Panama has slumped, compared with the first week of the year, a source said. Availability remains normal, with all three conventional grades available at Balboa and Cristobal, within 3–5 days.
By Gautamee Hazarika
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