Rough weather conditions causing delays in Houston

Operations suspended in GOLA due to high winds

Prompt availability good in Brazilian ports

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

North America

Bunker fuel availability across all grades in Houston continues to remain tight for prompt delivery dates, with recommended lead times of at least seven days. Rough weather conditions have caused major delays to bunker operations in the Gulf Coast port lately.

Bunker deliveries are currently suspended in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) due to high wind gusts. Bunkering operations may face further disruptions between 20-24 February, a source says.

Operations around the US Gulf Coast ports, including Houston, Texas City, Galveston, Lake Charles, Pascagoula, Mobile, Tampa, Port Arthur, Freeport and Corpus Christi have also faced delays due to a thick layer of fog around the region, which has reduced visibility.

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

Vessel transit into the Bolivar Roads anchorage was halted due to forecasted strong wind gusts. The conditions may persist throughout Thursday, a source says.

Suppliers in New York can offer VLSFO and LSMGO for prompt deliveries, with expected lead times 5-6 days. HSFO is a bit tight and requires longer lead times. Bunker operations in the port may face weather delays until 22 February.

On the West Coast, prompt availability across all fuel grades has improved in Los Angeles and Long Beach, with suppliers recommending lead times of less than seven days for VLSFO and LSMGO, another source says.

High wind gusts may delay bunker deliveries in Canada’s Montreal port through 24 February, where barges are currently working only during daylight hours.

Caribbean and Latin America

Bunker fuel availability for prompt delivery dates has been on the tight side in Balboa and Cristobal. Suppliers in Balboa can offer VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries within seven days, however, HSFO is very tight and requires longer lead times.

Prompt VLSFO availability in Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage is tight at the moment, with recommended lead times of at least two weeks. High wind gusts forecast through this week may delay bunker deliveries, according to another source.

Meanwhile, suppliers in Brazilian ports of Santos and Rio de Janeiro reported strong demand this week, with ample availability across most grades and recommended lead times of less than seven days.

By Aparupa Mazumder

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