Bunker fuel prices in key Americas ports have moved in mixed directions, and strong wind gusts may delay operations in GOLA.

Changes on the day, to 04.00 CST (9.00 GMT) today:

• VLSFO prices up in Los Angeles, Zona Comun ($13/mt), New York ($12/mt), Balboa ($8/mt), and down in Houston ($13/mt)
• LSMGO prices up in New York, Los Angeles ($16/mt), Balboa ($9/mt), and down in Houston ($21/mt)
• HSFO prices up in New York, Los Angeles ($11/mt), Houston and Balboa ($9/mt)

LSMGO prices in New York, Los Angeles and Balboa have risen, while the grade's price in Houston has declined by $21/mt, influenced by a prompt lower-priced 50-150 mt LSMGO stem fixed earlier today at $630/mt.

The east coast port’s VLSFO price has also dropped. A prompt lower-priced 150-500 mt VLSFO stem fixed in Houston today at $480/mt has contributed to drag the benchmark down. Meanwhile, Houston's HSFO price has moved higher. These diverging price movements have narrowed the port’s Hi5 spread from $71/mt a day ago, to $54/mt now.

Suppliers in Houston can offer VLSFO and LSMGO for prompt deliveries, with expected lead times of less than seven days, a source says.

Bunkering operations in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) may face disruptions today due to rough weather conditions, another source says. Deliveries are expected to face prolonged delays due to strong wind gusts.

Brent

The ICE Brent Futures market is closed for trading today on account of Good Friday holiday. Front-month ICE Brent closed at $67.96/bbl on Thursday, which was $1.56/bbl higher than the price at 09.00 GMT on the day.

Upward pressure:

Brent futures traded firm this week, drawing some support from recent geopolitical events that have rattled global markets.

Last week, the Donald Trump-led US government implemented a temporary pause on country-specific tariffs for most trade partners for 90 days. This development eased some demand concerns, with global investors’ focus fixed on trade talks between Washington and its allies.

“Crude oil edged higher on the prospects of a de-escalation in the trade war,” ANZ Bank’s senior commodity strategist Daniel Hynes remarked.

On the supply side, Washington announced stricter sanctions on several companies and vessels responsible for facilitating Iranian oil shipments to China. Brent’s price moved higher following the announcement.

OPEC+ revealed revised compensation plans from seven members yesterday, aiming to make deeper production cuts in the coming months for previous overproduction.

The seven OPEC+ members will collectively cut production by a total of 4.6 million b/d through June 2026, the coalition said.

Downward pressure:

Brent crude felt some downward pressure from easing geopolitical tensions, following a high-level meeting between representatives from the US and Iran last week.

Both parties held "positive" and "constructive" talks in Oman, in an effort to address concerns over Tehran’s advancing nuclear programme, as President Trump warned earlier of a potential military action should negotiations fail to yield a deal, according to Reuters. Iran and the US are set to hold another round of talks in Rome this weekend.

Market analysts suggest that a favourable outcome could prompt Washington to ease its tough sanctions on Tehran’s oil exports, which in turn could put downward pressure on oil prices.

Earlier this week, OPEC released its monthly oil market report, which presented a subdued outlook for global oil demand.

Global oil consumption in 2025 is expected to average 105.05 million b/d, OPEC said. Previously, it expected consumption to average around 105.2 million b/d this year.

Commercial US crude oil inventories gained by 515,000 bbls to touch 443 million bbls for the week ending 11 April, according to data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

A rise in inventories typically signals weaker oil demand, which can put downward pressure on Brent's price.

By Aparupa Mazumder

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