In 2016 28.8 million barrels of fuel were sold to ships, which is 3.1 million barrels more than in the previous year.

Figures from the Panama Maritime Authority indicate that most of the bunker fuel was marketed in the Pacific, with 23.8 million barrels, while the remaining 4.9 million barrels were shipped across the Atlantic.

Prensa.com reports that “…The variation in the amount of marine fuel sent to ships in the Pacific versus the Atlantic is because there is no suitable anchorage area in Colon. As the boats can only receive oil inside the breakwater, because there is no equipment to reduce the movement of the waves, the operational capacity is reduced.”

“… The rise in the volume of marine fuel is due to a drop in the price of derivatives that has boosted the local market, explains Pablo Torres, member of the Commission on Bunkering at the Maritime Chamber of Panama “.