Cold front to pass through the US Gulf Coast

Prompt availability good in West Coast

Strong wind gusts to cause Zona Comun delays

PHOTO: Aerial shot of a massive cargo ship arriving in the Port of Long Beach, California. Getty Images

North America

Bunker fuel demand is good in Houston, and availability across all fuel grades is currently tight for prompt delivery dates. Several suppliers can offer VLSFO and LSMGO stems with a lead time of at least seven days.

There is plenty of supply volumes available at the port, a source notes. The real challenge, however, lies in aligning with suppliers’ delivery schedules and ensuring shipments aren’t delayed by adverse weather conditions. High wind gusts and an Arctic Front has caused major delays to bunker operations in the port lately.

A dense layer of fog has reduced visibility in US Gulf Coast ports, delaying bunker operations. “Dense fog [is] forecasted to be an issue this week in US,” a source says, adding that delays are expected around other ports and bunker locations, including Corpus Christi, Freeport, Galveston, Port Arthur, Lake Charles, New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA), Mobile, Tampa and Pascagoula.

Fog conditions in the area depend heavily on wind directions. Southerly winds from the Gulf typically result in fog in the Houston area, while colder, northerly winds can keep visibility clearer.

Earlier this week, the Houston Pilot Association had suspended outbound sailings through the Houston Ship Channel due to dense fog observed throughout the region and Galveston Bay, with visibilities less than 1 nautical mile, another source says.

The channel is a vital waterway for ports in Houston, Galveston, Baytown and Texas City. It often faces closures during the US Gulf Coast’s winter season, which runs until March.

Bunker deliveries in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) are currently underway, although delays are expected. Operations may face further disruptions this week due to high wind gusts.

Suppliers in New York can offer VLSFO and LSMGO for prompt deliveries, a source says. HSFO is a bit tight and requires longer lead times. Bunker operations may face some delays in the East Coast port until 9 February due to high wind gusts, according to another source.

On the West Coast, Los Angeles and Long Beach have seen good availability across all fuel grades, with suppliers recommending lead times of 5-7 days for VLSFO and LSMGO.

High wind gusts may delay bunker deliveries in Canada’s Montreal port between 6-8 February. Barges at the port are only in operation during daylight hours at the moment.

Caribbean and Latin America

Bunker fuel availability for prompt dates has been on the tight side in the Panamanian ports of Balboa and Cristobal, with the latter having relatively fewer barges.

Vessel transits have slowed in Balboa lately, a source says. Lead times of around 9-10 days are required for prompt VLSFO deliveries in Balboa.

The Colombian ports of Santa Marta, Barranquilla and Cartagena have seen good demand and tightening availability. January and February are the months with the highest demand, a source says.

Prompt VLSFO availability is tight at Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage, where a recent bout of high wind gusts delayed barge reloadings and bunker deliveries. Seven days of lead time is advised.

Prolonged delays are expected at the anchorage over the weekend. Strong wind gusts forecast between 6-8 February may suspend deliveries.

By Aparupa Mazumder

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