Panama
Where two oceans meet. We arrange bunker supply at the Panama Canal and crude moves through the Trans-Panama pipeline for tankers too large for the locks.
Panama plays two roles in the oil trade. Ships transiting the canal take fuel at Balboa on the Pacific side and Cristóbal on the Atlantic side, making Panama one of the busiest bunker markets in the Americas. Separately, a 131-kilometre pipeline carries crude across the isthmus for tankers too large for the canal locks.
The Petroterminal de Panamá pipeline links Chiriquí Grande on the Caribbean coast with Charco Azul on the Pacific, with storage at both ends. The Panamanian state took full ownership in 2026. We arrange bunker supply through licensed suppliers, crude storage and pipeline transit, and independent inspection.
Bunkering for canal traffic
Most bunker deliveries are made by barge to ships at anchor near the canal entrances. Very low sulfur fuel oil makes up the largest share, at 3.41 million tonnes in 2025. The Panama Maritime Authority licenses barge-based suppliers and reopened new licences in October 2025.
Crude across the isthmus
Laden very large crude carriers cannot fit through the canal locks. Petroterminal de Panamá lets them discharge on one coast and reload on the other. Chiriquí Grande holds about 7 million barrels with single point moorings, and Charco Azul about 7.5 million barrels with two VLCC berths.
- Bunker supply through AMP-licensed suppliers
- Crude storage and pipeline transit between the two coasts
- VLCC freight on both sides of the isthmus
- Independent quantity and quality inspection
- Tracking through the canal or the pipeline route
Frequently asked questions
Why pipe crude across Panama instead of using the canal?
Fully loaded very large crude carriers exceed the size and draft limits of the canal locks, so the pipeline lets their cargo cross the isthmus.
Who can supply bunkers in Panamanian waters?
Suppliers licensed by the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP). Licensing reopened to new applicants in 2025.
Who owns Petroterminal de Panamá?
The Panamanian state, which bought the remaining shares in 2026.
Related
Marine Tanker Freight
Tanker size classes, SIRE 2.0 vetting and Jones Act rules, matched to your parcel and both berths.
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Pipeline Shipments
Common-carrier pipelines, FERC tariffs, nominations, batching and metered custody transfer.
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Caribbean
Transshipment, storage and island supply across the Caribbean basin.
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Fuel Quality Specifications
ISO 8217, ASTM D975 and D1655, EN 590 and EN 14214: which spec governs which fuel.
Read moreBunker or transit in Panama
Send vessel, grade, quantity and timing. We will propose bunker supply or crude transit through Panama.