Petrobras, the Brazilian state-owned oil company, has recommenced the sale of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) for bunkering at the Port of Itaqui. This decision follows a postponement of planned maintenance activities on the VLSFO pipelines. The company has not yet provided a new schedule for when this VLSFO pipeline maintenance will occur.
Conversely, the sale of Low Sulphur Marine Gas Oil (LSMGO) at the same Brazilian port continues to be suspended. This suspension is attributed to ongoing pipeline maintenance specifically affecting LSMGO supply, with an anticipated resumption date of November 9th.
For freight forwarders and vessel operators, the resumption of VLSFO sales at Itaqui provides stability for fuel planning, reducing potential diversions or delays for vessels requiring this specific fuel type. However, the continued unavailability of LSMGO means that ships needing this fuel will need to make alternative arrangements, either by bunkering at other ports or carrying sufficient reserves, potentially impacting routing and operational costs until the supply is restored in November.