Americas Fuel Availability Outlook 19 Mar

Weather conditions improve in New York

Prompt supply tight in Panama

Gasoil tight amid export restrictions in Brazil

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

North America

Bunker demand in Houston remains steady, with recommended lead times for all three conventional fuel grades at 7–10 days, depending on quantity and grade, a source said.

Lead times and prices remain highly unpredictable, with traders expecting increased volatility in bunker prices in the coming days.

In the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), bunker operations are continuing on a first-come, first-served basis, and are subject to weather conditions.

In the wider US Gulf Coast region, New Orleans has experienced weather-related disruptions, although congestion remains limited.

In New York, bunker demand has strengthened over the past week. Suppliers are recommending lead times of 4–5 days for VLSFO and LSMGO, while HSFO remains tight and requires at least 7–8 days.

Strong wind gusts have posed intermittent disruption risks in New York over the past few weeks, but conditions have improved and are expected to remain conducive to bunkering through the weekend.

On the US West Coast, bunker availability remains okay in Los Angeles and Long Beach, with most suppliers able to deliver all three conventional fuel grades within 8–10 days.

Container traffic to the two West Coast ports is expected to increase, with 17 container vessel arrivals scheduled for next week, up from 16 this week, according to vessel tracking data.

In Vancouver, HSFO is available with lead times of 6–7 days, while VLSFO and LSMGO require slightly longer lead times of 6–8 days, a source said.

Latin America and the Caribbean

In the Caribbean, weather conditions are disrupting bunker operations in several locations.

High winds are likely to delay anchorage deliveries in St. Eustatius, while strong winds and high seas off Trinidad are impacting operations, with possible suspensions during periods of elevated wind gusts.

In the Bahamas' Freeport, anchorage deliveries are being delayed by rough weather and cruise vessels are prioritised. Suppliers are working to move vessels to layberth to ease backlogs, while in-port deliveries continue.

Bunker demand in Panama remains strong, with prompt supply of all three conventional fuel grades tight and requiring at least a week of lead time to secure.

Weather conditions in Panamanian ports remain stable, with deliveries proceeding on a first-come, first-served basis and priority given to vessels with confirmed transit schedules.

In Colombia, lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO are within 4–6 days. In ports such as Santa Marta and Barranquilla, HSFO can be delivered in around a week, a source said.

In Brazil, VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains steady in Santos, with lead times of 5–8 days advised. In Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, Belém, Salvador and Vila do Conde, both grades are available with lead times of around 4–5 days.

However, availability is tighter in some locations. In OPL Sepetiba, supply of both grades is tight and prices and availability is only given for firm enquiries.

Paranaguá has normal VLSFO availability with lead times of 4–5 days, while LSMGO is available only on firm enquiry. In Itaqui, VLSFO can be delivered within 1–2 days, while LSMGO is currently unavailable.

LSMGO and 0.50% sulphur MGO availability in Brazil has tightened amid export restrictions linked to market instability, limiting access to prompt supply, a source said.

Alternative MGO deliveries by truck remain possible in Brazil, but come at significantly higher costs due to newly imposed export fees, while feasibility depends on terminal logistics.

In Argentina’s Zona Comun, bunker deliveries are ongoing, but strong wind gusts are expected to disrupt operations at the anchorage between 19-23 March. Recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO currently stand at 7–10 days.

By Gautamee Hazarika

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