Americas Fuel Availability Outlook 2 July

Strong demand in New York

HSFO tight in Panama

Brazil bunker supply steady

IMAGES: Container ship crossing over the Miraflores locks at the Panama Canal. Getty Images

North America

Bunker demand in Houston has been good this week, and fuel availability at the port is decent, a trader has told ENGINE. Recommended lead times for VLSFO, LSMGO and HSFO are between 5-7 days.

In the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), bunker deliveries continue without any major weather-related disruptions.

Deliveries are being carried out on a first-come, first-served basis, and remain subject to prevailing weather conditions.

Lead times range between 5-8 days, depending on the size of the inquiry, a trader tells ENGINE

Sea fog is not expected to cause significant disruptions across major US Gulf ports over the coming week.

However, periods of moderate visibility are forecast in parts of the region, including Galveston, Port Arthur, Lake Charles, New Orleans, Venice, Mobile Bay and Tampa.

On the US East Coast, bunker demand in New York has been strong this week, with increased enquiries, a source said.

VLSFO and LSMGO can be delivered within recommended lead times of 3-5 days, while HSFO requires up to 8 days of lead time.

High wind gusts are forecast in New York between 2-5 July, where suppliers may require standby tugs during bunkering operations.

On the West Coast, bunker demand has been normal in Los Angeles and Long Beach. Recommended lead times for VLSFO, LSMGO and HSFO are between 7-8 days.

Latin America and the Caribbean

In Panama, HSFO availability has been tight this week and is subject to enquiry. VLSFO and LSMGO availability is good and can be delivered within 3-4 days.

In Colombia, bunker fuel availability has been steady this week, with recommended lead times of around 3-5 days for VLSFO and LSMGO.

Demand has been normal, and suppliers have reported no major operational constraints.

High winds and rough seas could disrupt offshore bunkering operations off Trinidad until 5 July, potentially causing delivery delays.

Buyers are advised to expect longer lead times for deliveries, a source said.

In Brazil, VLSFO and LSMGO availability has been good across the main bunkering ports of Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Paranaguá, Rio Grande and Belém/Vila do Conde.

Recommended lead times for both grades are between 5-8 days. HSFO is no longer available in Brazil.

Petrobras is scheduled to carry out maintenance at its Itaqui terminal. During this, sales of VLSFO and MGO will be temporarily suspended.

The work is not expected to impact bunker availability at Brazil's other ports, a trader tells ENGINE.

In Argentina's Zona Comun anchorage, VLSFO and LSMGO availability has been good, with recommended lead times of 6-8 days.

High wind gusts are also forecast in Zona Comun on 2 July, where bunkering operations could be suspended if wind speeds exceed 20 knots.

By Gautamee Hazarika

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