Americas Fuel Availability Outlook 12 Mar

Bunker operations in GOLA suspended amid rough weather

Prompt supply tight in Panama as demand surges

VLSFO supply tight in Santos

IMAGE: Container terminal at the port of Santos, Brazil.Getty Images.

North America

Bunker demand in Houston has been decent, but weather disruptions have made it difficult for suppliers to keep up with delivery schedules over the past week.

Suppliers are currently recommending lead times of around a week or more across most ports, as prompt deliveries have become risky due to a growing backlog of vessels, a trader tells ENGINE.

In Houston, HSFO requires around 8-10 days of lead time. VLSFO and LSMGO have comparatively better availability, with lead times of 7–10 days, a source said.

Fog season continues to disrupt bunkering operations in Houston and the US Gulf region, with reduced visibility and lightning storms affecting vessel movements.

Port authorities in the region have periodically called for channel closures, causing operational delays. Currently, the port of Houston is open to both inbound and outbound traffic and deliveries are underway.

However, bunkering operations have been suspended at the nearby Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) anchorage due to high seas and strong wind gusts.

Operations are expected to resume later this afternoon local time, with delays likely to persist until tomorrow, a trader tells ENGINE.

Prices have been moving higher across global bunker markets in recent days. A trader said the increases have not significantly impacted availability or bunker demand in the Americas.

Prices are increasing across the market, so they are not causing major issues. Problems usually arise if vessels fall behind schedule or need to suddenly change their fuel quantities, a bunker trader said.

On the US East Coast, the port of New York is also seeing price increases, particularly for LSMGO. Prompt availability for all fuel grades is tight.

Suppliers are recommending lead times of 7–8 days for HSFO and VLSFO, while LSMGO requires 4–6 days.

A small craft advisory is currently in effect in New York Harbor, limiting the movement of smaller vessels such as barges and tugboats due to strong wind gusts.

On the US West Coast, Los Angeles and Long Beach have normal availability, with most suppliers able to deliver all three fuel grades within 7–8 days.

Container traffic is expected to remain steady, with 16 container ship arrivals forecast for next week, unchanged from this week, according to the ports’ vessel tracker Signal.

In Canada’s Vancouver, HSFO lead times are around 5–7 days. VLSFO and LSMGO are available with lead times of 6–8 days, a source said.

Latin America and the Caribbean

In Panama, bunker demand has increased over the past few weeks. Prompt supply at the ports of Balboa and Cristobal is currently tight across all three conventional fuel grades, with lead times of at least 5–6 days.

In Colombia, VLSFO and LSMGO can be delivered within 3–4 days. At ports where HSFO is available, such as Santa Marta and Barranquilla, the earliest delivery dates are around three days.

In Brazil, VLSFO availability is tight in Santos, with lead times of at least a week. LSMGO availability is comparatively better and requires around 5-6 days, a source said.

In Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, Belém, Salvador and Vila do Conde, availability is normal for both grades, with lead times of about 4–5 days this week.

Availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO is tight at OPL Sepetiba, and only firm quotes are being entertained, a trader told ENGINE.

Paranaguá has normal VLSFO availability with lead times of 4–5 days, while LSMGO is available only under prior consultation, a trader told ENGINE.

In Itaqui, the earliest delivery date for VLSFO is 1–2 days. LSMGO is currently unavailable at the port.

In St. Eustatius, strong wind gusts may cause disruptions until 15 March, which could delay anchorage deliveries.

In Argentina’s Zona Comun, bunker deliveries are ongoing, but disruptions are possible between 12–16 March due to strong winds near the anchorage.

Lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO at the anchorage are currently around 7–10 days.

By Gautamee Hazarika

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