Bunker broker / United States

Bunkering in Houston

Houston is the main bunkering port of the US Gulf Coast, on a ship channel with more than 200 private terminals and 8,099 ship arrivals in 2025. It sits inside the North American Emission Control Area. Roadstead arranges compliant fuel there through suppliers we have checked.

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Refineries along the Houston Ship Channel, with downtown Houston behind
Photo: US Coast Guard, PA2 James Dillard, public domain, cropped.
Ship arrivals 2025
8,099 on the Houston Ship Channel
Where
Channel terminals and Bolivar Roads, by barge
Main grades
LSMGO, VLSFO, HSFO
New fuels
LNG by barge at Galveston since 2023
Sulphur limit
0.10%, North American ECA
Mass flow meters
Not mandatory in the US

Where bunkering happens

Bunkers come by barge, to ships at the terminals along the Houston Ship Channel and at the Bolivar Roads anchorage off Galveston, the shared gateway to Houston and Galveston. The channel has more than 200 private and eight public terminals, and Port Houston counted 209,616 barge moves in 2025.

Bolivar Roads has Anchorage Areas A, B, C and A East. Staying more than 48 hours in A, B or C needs permission from the Captain of the Port. Fog and gales stop barge movements several times a year, and Vessel Traffic Service can suspend bunkering at the anchorage when gales are forecast.

Grades

VLSFO, HSFO and LSMGO are offered. Inside the North American ECA ships without scrubbers burn 0.10% fuel, so LSMGO is the main compliant grade here, while ships with scrubbers can take HSFO.

LNG is delivered by barge at Galveston, where the first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering on the US Gulf Coast took place in December 2023.

Local rules

  • The North American Emission Control Area limits fuel to 0.10% sulphur since 2015, unless the ship has an approved scrubber.
  • The US Coast Guard requires a signed Declaration of Inspection before any fuel transfer starts. Both persons in charge sign it, and a copy is kept for at least a month.
  • Mass flow meters are not mandatory in the US. Most Gulf barges still measure by tank soundings, so many buyers appoint an independent surveyor.
  • There is no official figure for bunker sales in Houston.

How we arrange your stem in Houston

  1. Enquiry. Vessel, IMO number, ETA in Houston, grades and quantities.
  2. Firm offer. Price, delivery window, payment terms, valid until a stated time. We negotiate with suppliers for the best credit terms on your behalf.
  3. Nomination. You confirm the stem, we place it with the supplier and send delivery details to the ship and agent.
  4. Delivery and BDN. The supplier delivers alongside and hands over the Bunker Delivery Note.

Roadstead is a bunker broker. We do not run our own barges; the fuel is delivered by a licensed physical supplier at the port.

Questions about bunkering in Houston

Which fuel do I need in Houston?

Houston is inside the North American ECA, so the limit is 0.10% sulphur. Ships without a scrubber take LSMGO. Ships with a scrubber can take HSFO.

Where do ships bunker in Houston?

By barge, at the terminals along the Houston Ship Channel or at the Bolivar Roads anchorage off Galveston.

Is LNG available in Houston?

LNG is delivered by barge at Galveston since December 2023. Tell us the quantity and dates and we will check availability.

Bunkers in Houston?

Vessel, ETA, grades and quantities are enough for us to start. The desk is open 24/7.

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Sources: Port Houston, 2025 results, 33 CFR 110.197, Bolivar Roads anchorages, 33 CFR 156.150, Declaration of Inspection, IMO, Emission Control Areas, Engine, Houston market and barge disruptions, March 2026. Updated 8 October 2026.