Americas News
Annual Bunker Sales Rise in Panama
Bunker sales in Panama during 2012 rose 1.78 percent year-on-year to 3.45 million metric tonnes (mt), according to Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) statistics quoted by Seatrade Global.
"The increase of sales is the result of very aggressive pricing policies by the suppliers that are selling with very small margins. This is also influenced by the supply side bringing more fuels to the Pacific side and putting pressure on the sales to empty the tanks fast to receive the new cargoes," said Jose Digeronimo, general manager at VT Shipping, Panana, told the publication.
"Also on the low sulphur fuel sales, the Pacific side has more terminals and the operation is easier. This is the first year that Panama has offered low sulphur fuels, and we are in the learning curve on how that will affect the sales."
The number of vessels bunkering in Panama was up 7.18 percent to 5,253 vessels for the period, with most bunkering taking place in Balboa on the Pacific side of the Panama Canal, which saw sales rise 4.94 percent to 2.47 million mt.
Digeronimo also said he thought there was a lot of potential for bunkering to grow in Panama once the canal expansion is complete in mid-2015.
"At the moment, Panama has the demand, the infrastructure, the adequate legislation and trained and experienced people. What we need is the supply," he said.
In October 2012 OW Bunker announced it would begin the sale of low sulfur bunkers in Panama.
