Panama bunker sales rebound in July

Bunker fuel sales in Panama surged in July, according to preliminary data from the Panama Maritime Authority. Total sales rose 43,000 metric tons (mt) to 428,000 mt compared to June, while VLSFO sales increased 31,000 mt to 278,000 mt and LSMGO sales rose 100 mt to 36,000 mt. HSFO sales climbed 11,000 mt to 106,000 mt, and MGO sales grew by 2,000 mt to 8,000 mt.

Overall, Panama's bunker sales increased 11% month-over-month in July. HSFO sales jumped around 11% and total MGO sales climbed about 6%. VLSFO sales jumped by roughly 13% from June. July saw an average of about 13,800 mt/day of bunker sales, up from 12,800 mt/day in June. Panama's ports handled 629 bunker calls from ships in July, up from 545 in June, while the number of operating barges increased to 32 from 30.

The average stem size decreased to roughly 680 mt in July, from 707 mt the previous month. VLSFO remained the most widely sold bunker fuel in July, accounting for about 65% of total bunker sales. HSFO made up around 25% of sales, with MGO representing approximately 10%. Panama's bunker demand has decreased compared to recent weeks, a trader noted.

On the supply side, Balboa and Cristobal reported steady availability, with all three fuel grades of HSFO, VLSFO, and LSMGO requiring 5-7 days of lead time.