Panama recorded a notable increase in bunker fuel sales during July, with total marine fuel volumes reaching 427,985 metric tonnes. This represents an 11.1% rise compared to June's figures of 385,100 metric tonnes, which had marked the lowest sales since September 2025. Furthermore, July's sales also demonstrated a 10.6% year-on-year growth, according to data released by the Panama Maritime Authority.
Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) constituted the majority of these sales, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the total marine fuel sold. VLSFO sales alone reached 277,588 metric tonnes in July, surpassing both the previous month's and July 2025's volumes.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this upswing in bunker sales in Panama suggests a potential increase in vessel traffic or a replenishment of fuel stocks by carriers operating through the region. Stable or increasing bunker sales can indicate consistent shipping activity, which may contribute to more predictable vessel schedules and potentially stable bunker surcharges in the short term. Fluctuations in bunker demand can impact fuel prices, which are a direct component of freight costs. The rebound could signal a return to more typical operational patterns after a period of lower activity.
