Americas Fuel Availability Outlook 15 Jan

Extended lead times persist in Houston

Availability is tight in OPL Sepetiba

Bunker demand has eased in Panama

IMAGE: Aerial shot of a container ship arriving in the Port of Long Beach. Getty Images.

North America

Bunker fuel demand in Houston is firm, but all US Gulf ports, including Houston, are facing regular delays to bunkering and resupply operations across several locations and grades due to dense fog in the region.

Recommended lead times for all three conventional fuel grades in Houston stand at 7–10 days this week. Some suppliers have advised additional lead times, particularly for HSFO, a source said.

At the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), possible disruptions and delays to bunkering operations are expected until 18 January, a source said. Deliveries are being carried out on a "first-come, first-serve" basis and remain subject to weather conditions.

The US Gulf fog season typically runs until mid-March, with January and February being the most disruptive months.

At New York, demand is surging, particularly for VLSFO. Demand for HSFO has also improved compared with last week, a trader tells ENGINE. Recommended lead times for both grades currently stand at 4–7 days.

LSMGO demand is steady, though supply is slightly weak, with lead times typically at 2–3 days.

A small craft advisory is currently in effect in New York Harbor from Thursday morning through the afternoon, with high wind gusts of up to 30 knots and wave heights of 2–3 feet expected.

Possible delays are expected due to high winds, and suppliers may require standby tug support during deliveries if conditions remain rough, a trader said.

On the US West Coast, bunker demand has edged lower.

The twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach continue to offer good availability, with suppliers recommending lead times of 7–8 days this week.

Container traffic is expected to ease, with 18 vessel arrivals forecast for next week, down from 19 this week, according to the ports’ vessel tracker, Signal.

In Canada’s Vancouver, HSFO can be delivered within lead times of 4–5 days. VLSFO and LSMGO are available with lead times of 4–8 days this week, a source said.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Bunker demand in Panama has slumped compared with the first week of the year, a source said.

Availability remains normal, with all three conventional grades available at Balboa and Cristobal, within 3–5 days.

In Colombia, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is good at the ports of Cartagena, Santa Marta and Barranquilla, with the earliest delivery dates at around three days.

In the Bahamas’ Freeport, possible disruptions are expected until 16 January, due to high wind gusts in the region.

Deliveries are being carried out at anchorage, with cruise vessels being prioritised. VLSFO and LSMGO can be delivered within lead times of 8–10 days.

At Trinidad Offshore, high wind gusts continue to threaten smooth bunkering operations. Some congestion has been reported at the bunkering area and delays are expected to begin from today due to high seas.

In Brazil, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is steady in Santos, with lead times of around 5–8 days. In Rio de Janeiro, availability is tight for both the grades and requires at least 7 days of lead time.

At OPL Sepetiba, availability is tight and the earliest delivery date for VLSFO and LSMGO is 25 January. In Salvador, availability is okay and the earliest delivery date is 22 January for both the grades.

Paranaguá has normal VLSFO availability with lead times between in 4–5 days, and LSMGO is not available at the port.

Across Rio Grande, Belém, and Vila do Conde, both grades are available and can be supplied within the recommended lead times of 4–5 days.

In Itaqui, the earliest delivery date for VLSFO is between 16-17 January. LSMGO is currently not available at the port.

In Argentina’s Zona Comun, possible disruptions are expected between 15–18 January due to high wind gusts. Deliveries are expected to be suspended when wind speeds exceed 20 knots.

Currently, deliveries are being carried out on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to weather conditions.

Lead times at the anchorage for VLSFO and LSMGO are around 6–7 days, a communications executive told ENGINE.

By Gautamee Hazarika

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