Prompt fuel availability tight at Houston

VLSFO, LSMGO availability tightens in Santos

Zona Comun demand steady

IMAGE: Container ships in the seaport of Vancouver, Canada. Getty Images

North America

Bunker fuel demand in Houston is firm, with prompt availability tight across all three conventional fuel grades of HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO.

Suppliers are recommending lead times of around 5–7 days, a bunker trader tells ENGINE.

Weather conditions across the US Gulf Coast are normal, with no major disruptions from the ongoing hurricane season.

In the nearby Bolivar Roads, limited prompt availability has been observed.

One supplier has been able to offer VLSFO stems within 4–6 days over the past week, and typical lead times in the area generally remain above five days, a trader said.

Deliveries at the anchorage continue to be subject to weather conditions and are currently being handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

In Mobile, the earliest delivery date for VLSFO is currently indicated between 18-19 August.

The Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) is expected to face minor weather-related disruptions through 15 August due to strong wind gusts and high seas.

In New York, bunker demand is strong, and availability is decent for LSMGO and VLSFO deliveries, with lead times ranging between 4-7 days.

HSFO is expected to tighten a bit, and requires notice of at least seven days, this week, a trader said.

Weather conditions at the port are normal, and no congestion or weather-related disruptions are expected through the end of the week.

Across the US West Coast, bunker availability is a bit tight, with buyers advised to secure stems in advance to avoid delays, a bunker trader tells ENGINE.

In the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, HSFO and LSMGO typically have required around 7–9 days notice in the past week.

VLSFO is more constrained, with lead times of 9–11 days. The earliest delivery dates for VLSFO with most suppliers are currently indicated from around 21-22  August onwards.

Availability in Canada's Vancouver is good for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO this week, a source said. Lead times for the three fuel grades are between 4-7 days.

Latin America and the Caribbean

In Panama, bunker demand is steady, and availability is normal, a trader tells ENGINE.

Recommended lead times at the ports of Balboa and Cristobal for VLSFO and LSMGO stand at around 3–6 days. HSFO availability is relatively tighter, with most suppliers requiring 5–7 days’ lead time.

In the Bahamas’ Freeport, at least one supplier is offering HSFO and LSMGO with lead times of around 6–7 days.

Off Trinidad, bunkering operations may face disruptions due to high wind gusts and rough seas through 15 August. Delays are expected and will depend on supply vessel conditions at the time of delivery, a source said.

In Colombia, bunker availability at the ports of Cartagena, Santa Marta and Barranquilla is good, with the earliest delivery dates for VLSFO and LSMGO indicated at 3–4 days, a trader said.

In Brazil, Santos is seeing tighter availability for both VLSFO and LSMGO, with suppliers recommending lead times of around 7–10 days to secure deliveries.

Across other key Brazilian ports, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, Belém, Salvador and Vila do Conde, supply conditions are okay. Both grade require between 5–8 days of lead time, a source said.

Paranaguá continues to show tighter VLSFO and LSMGO availability, with lead times of about 6–8 days.

In Argentina’s Zona Comun, bunker demand is steady, with normal availability. Recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO are around 5–7 days. However, delays are expected at the anchorage due to high wind gusts.

By Gautamee Hazarika

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