Marine fuels
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Latest marine fuels news
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Brazilian producers call for bunker biofuel mandate
Brazilian producers call for bunker biofuel mandate
Sao Paulo, 25 September (Argus) — Brazilian bioenergy companies have demanded that hydrocarbons regulator ANP introduce mandatory biodiesel blending in conventional marine fuels from 2027. The ANP is developing new rules to bring the domestic bunker market closer in line with International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements. Biodiesel producers' association Ubrabio presented the proposal at an ANP public hearing this week. It called for a 15pc biodiesel mandate in marine gasoil (MGO) from July 2027, rising to 20pc in January 2028 and 24pc in July 2028. Brazilian bioenergy producer Binatural estimates that a B15 mandate would create around 230mn liters/yr of biodiesel demand, increasing to about 368mn liters/yr under B24. ANP said it will consider the industry's proposals before issuing the final regulation, expected by the end of this year. ANP's original draft does not include mandatory blending. It would establish national specifications and storage requirements for marine biodiesel, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), ethanol and gas-to-liquids fuels. The proposal would also allow suppliers to sell blends of up to B100 to shipowners without obtaining special authorization. Petrobras and Raízen are currently the only companies authorized to market marine biodiesel blends in Brazil, with blending capped at 24pc. The proposal also regulates ethanol bunkering in Brazil . By Gabriel Tassi Lara Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Brazil bunker suppliers ask for ethanol regulation
Brazil bunker suppliers ask for ethanol regulation
Sao Paulo, 24 September (Argus) — Brazilian bunker suppliers are urging Brazil's hydrocarbons regulator ANP to include ethanol in its upcoming national marine biofuels regulation, arguing that the biofuel was only partially addressed in the initial proposal released for public comment. The proposed regulation aims to align Brazil's bunker fuel framework with international standards and would allow suppliers to market biodiesel, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and gas-to-liquids (GTL) products without requiring specific authorization, provided the fuels meet ANP specifications. Ethanol, however, would remain subject to special authorization requirements, a provision that has drawn criticism from both bunker suppliers and ethanol producers. ANP initially argued that ethanol was not included because the proposal is intended to align domestic regulations with ISO 8217:2024 specifications and standards recognized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The IMO has not yet developed specific guidelines for ethanol bunkering operations. During a public hearing on Wednesday, the Brazilian bunker association Abrabunker and ethanol producers' association Unica jointly called on ANP to establish a dedicated ethanol standard that would allow suppliers to market the fuel without obtaining special approval. The groups proposed that the specification of ethanol set in Brazil's existing Resolution 907 — aimed at ethanol for road-fuel use — also be accepted for marine fuel use. The proposal covers both anhydrous and hydrous ethanol grades for bunkering operations. Industry participants argued that including ethanol in the regulation would help stimulate domestic production and logistics infrastructure development ahead of wider global adoption of the fuel in the maritime sector. According to Abrabunker, the measure would position Brazil to capitalize on its large ethanol industry and strengthen its role in the emerging alternative marine fuels market. Brazil ethanol output has been growing rapidly with the expansion of corn-based production. The country is expected to produce 39.8bn liters (686,959 b/d) of ethanol in 2026, up by 6.4pc from a year earlier, according to energy research firm EPE. The firm sees a 20pc growth to 50bn l by 2035 from 2026 levels. Brazil currently lacks a comprehensive regulatory framework defining storage requirements and fuel specifications for biodiesel, HVO and ethanol sold to vessels. Suppliers must obtain special authorization from ANP to conduct alternative bunker fuel operations. Petrobras and Raizen are the only companies currently authorized to market biodiesel bunker blends containing up to 24pc biodiesel. Ethanol authorizations have been granted on a case-by-case basis for testing purposes. Bunker One received approval earlier this year to conduct a 100pc ethanol bunkering trial in Brazil. By Gabriel Tassi Lara and Maria Lígia Barros Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Saudi Aramco offers fuel oil for loading within Hormuz
Saudi Aramco offers fuel oil for loading within Hormuz
Singapore, 23 September (Argus) — Saudi Arabia's state-controlled Saudi Aramco is offering October-loading high-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) cargoes from within the strait of Hormuz, market participants said, adding that this is likely the first time the company has offered cargoes loading within the strait on a fob basis through a tender since the start of the US-Iran war. Aramco is offering six cargoes, with three to load from Jubail and the other three from Ras Tanura. Participants suggested that Aramco's tender guarantees safe passage through the strait of Hormuz, with one trader noting that the company may have a dedicated shipping service provider for transit through the strait. This could not be directly confirmed, and market participants continue to remain sceptical about the possibility of safe transit, although there has been some headway made in US-Iran negotiations this week. The cargoes are likely around 80,000-100,000t (516,000-645,000 bl) each, with market participants noting that the refiner could have offered up to 1mn t in total. The tender closed on 22 September with validity until 23 September. The HSFO from Jubail is expected to be cracked, while the Ras Tanura cargoes could include straight-run fuel oil, sources said. Straight-run fuel oil typically fetches a premium over cracked fuel oil, as it can be further processed to produce lighter, higher-value products. Aramco does not usually offer fuel oil through tenders, with its trading arm typically handling such negotiations privately. It is also unclear why Aramco is choosing to offer cargoes on a fob basis now, especially after it previously awarded an unusual tender to offer fuel oil from Jubail on a delivered at port (dap) Singapore basis, market participants said. The refiner likely offered two 80,000t cargoes for loading on 10-20 September and 21-30 September from Jubail, with the tender closing around 27 August, market participants said. Aramco may have offered additional cargoes, but this could not be confirmed, nor could the tender results. This could have been the first time Aramco has offered a tender on a dap Singapore basis, traders said. Aramco could also be offering fuel oil from Fujairah and Oman, participants suggested, although this could not be confirmed. But Aramco has recently offered crude for loading via ship-to-ship in the Gulf of Oman , and fuel oil flows from Fujairah have been increasing recently, and most of these volumes are likely of the high-sulphur grade. These flows could rise to around 200,000 b/d and beyond in September, marking at least a seven-month high, the highest since the US-Iran war started, data from global trade analytics firms Kpler and Vortexa show. Most of these volumes are currently set to head to Asia. Fuel oil from within the Mideast Gulf is also likely being shipped to tanks in Fujairah for blending before being re-exported, a trader said. Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
IMO uncertainty stalls LatAm biobunker growth
IMO uncertainty stalls LatAm biobunker growth
Sao Paulo, 16 September (Argus) — Latin American biodiesel producers are delaying investments in the maritime sector as the shipping industry awaits a decision on the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) proposed Net-Zero Framework (NZF). A supplier on Latin America's Pacific coast cancelled plans to deliver palm oil-based biodiesel to Peruvian and Ecuadorian ports. Other regional producers have also postponed projects targeting the biobunker market. Marine biodiesel demand in 2026 has been estimated to be at least two-thirds lower than in 2025, Latin American suppliers told Argus . In the absence of a global regulatory driver, and following heightened US-Iran tensions, vessels calling at regional ports have focused on purchasing the lowest-cost fuel and not straying from more conventional fuel options . Suppliers said current demand in Latin America does not justify investments without global shipping emissions regulations. Competing for European demand is not financially viable because biodiesel prices in Rotterdam are much lower than in US ports. Europe remains the main demand centre as shipowners must comply with FuelEU Maritime and Renewable Energy Directive (RED) requirements. Argus assessed B30 advanced fame and VLSFO delivered on board (dob) Netherlands at an average price of $877.50/t in the past 30 days. Argus' B24 advanced fame and VLSFO dob Rio Grande — was assessed at an average price of $1,094/t in the same period. Argus currently only assesses B24 advanced fame for the Latin America market instead of B30. Market participants are waiting for regulatory clarity to expand production and supply, but agreement on IMO's NZF still appears distant. Limited progress was made at the Inter-sessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 22) meeting on 1-4 September, which involved more than 1,200 delegates and contributors. The issue was deferred to the next inter-sessional meeting on 23-27 November, shortly before the extraordinary Marine Environment Protection Committee session from 30 November to 3 December in London. Discussions continued outside the formal meeting. Countries broadly agreed that the current draft should remain the basis for negotiations, but a group of member states is seeking to remove provisions covering the Net-Zero Fund. Market participants doubt the NZF will be approved this year. Shipowners' association Bimco said there were some signs of willingness to compromise at ISWG-GHG 22, but disagreements over the framework remain significant, making convergence challenging and raising doubts over whether a revised proposal can emerge before MEPC 85 in early December. SEA-LNG also described the scenario for approval later this year as "challenging". But one Brazilian delegate said he remains optimistic about the negotiations and expects "substantial progress" at ISWG-GHG 23. By Gabriel Tassi Lara Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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