- Total bunker fuel sales at Panama dropped 11.3% year-on-year in July 2025, totaling 387,152 metric tonnes.
- The Pacific side accounted for the majority of sales, but volumes for RMG 380 and MGO saw notable declines compared to July 2024.
- The Atlantic side recorded stable overall volumes, with slight shifts in fuel type demand.
Panama’s bunker fuel sales fell sharply in July 2025, with the Panama Maritime Authority reporting total volumes of 387,152 metric tonnes (mt)—down from 436,507 mt in the same month of 2024. The year-on-year decline of 11.3% reflects softer demand across multiple fuel grades, according to Manifold Times.
Pacific Side Remains the Main Hub
The Pacific side handled 316,932 mt of bunker sales in July 2025, comprising 205,610 mt of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), 80,850 mt of RMG 380, 2,624 mt of Marine Gas Oil (MGO), and 27,848 mt of Low Sulphur Marine Gas Oil (LSMGO).
In July 2024, the same region recorded 365,673 mt in total sales, including 207,536 mt of VLSFO, 122,194 mt of RMG 380, 7,789 mt of MGO, and 28,154 mt of LSMGO. The biggest drop came in RMG 380 volumes, down by more than a third year-on-year.
Atlantic Side Shows Minimal Change
On the Atlantic side, bunker fuel sales in July 2025 totaled 70,220 mt, consisting of 53,868 mt of VLSFO, 6,042 mt of RMG 380, 1,659 mt of MGO, and 8,651 mt of LSMGO.
In the same month last year, the Atlantic side recorded 70,834 mt in total sales, with 50,194 mt of VLSFO, 8,922 mt of RMG 380, 3,081 mt of MGO, and 8,637 mt of LSMGO. While total volume was almost unchanged, RMG 380 sales slipped, while VLSFO demand grew modestly.
Market Outlook
The July figures highlight a continuing shift in Panama’s bunker market, with fuel oil demand under pressure from evolving trade flows and operational adjustments in global shipping. While the Pacific side remains the primary supply location, both coasts reflect a trend toward higher VLSFO uptake and reduced MGO usage.
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Source: Manifold Times
