Americas Fuel Availability Outlook 25 June
Houston bunker demand softens
Balboa HSFO supply tight
Paranagua lead times extended
IMAGE: Harbour with nautical vessels in Argentina. Getty Images.
North America
Bunker demand in the port of Houston has eased compared to the past few weeks. Demand has seen the sharpest decline for VLSFO, a trader tells ENGINE.
Recommended lead times for VLSFO and HSFO are 6-7 days, and LSMGO requires 4-5 days this week.
The Atlantic hurricane season is currently ongoing. No major storms have been reported so far, but shippers are seeing heavy thunderstorms and severe weather systems moving through the region.
These weather conditions could trigger periodic closures of the Houston Ship Channel and cause loading delays, a source said.
Availability is normal at the nearby bunkering hub, Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA). All three fuel grades can be delivered between 5-8 days, a trader told ENGINE.
Weather conditions could cause brief disruptions at GOLA from 25-28 June due to high winds and elevated seas. Short delays are possible, although prolonged disruptions are not expected.
This week, sea fog is not expected to pose a major disruption across the US Gulf Coast. Most key ports, including Houston/Galveston, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Freeport, Port Arthur, and Lake Charles, are forecast to experience low sea fog and visibility risks.
Moderate visibility restrictions are expected only intermittently at ports such as Mobile Bay, Pascagoula, New Orleans and Port Fourchon, with any disruptions likely to be brief and localised.
On the East Coast, the port of New York has seen strong bunker demand this week. Availability of all three conventional fuel grades has improved with some suppliers, while others are facing resupply challenges, a source said.
VLSFO and HSFO require lead times of 5-6 days, while LSMGO can be delivered within 2-3 days.
Weather conditions at the port are favourable, with winds mostly between 5-10 knots, occasionally increasing to 20 knots, and wave heights of around 2 feet.
There is a chance of thunderstorms and showers later today, which could disrupt port operations, a trader told ENGINE.
On the West Coast, bunker demand has held steady at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, although some suppliers have seen a slight dip in demand.
HSFO, VLSFO, and LSMGO can be delivered within lead times of 5-7 days at both ports.
Latin America and the Caribbean
In Panama, bunker demand is steady, and availability for VLSFO and LSMGO is good at Balboa and Cristobal.
Both grades can be delivered within lead times of 3-5 days, a source said.
HSFO supply in Balboa is under pressure and is expected to tighten further this week, with suppliers now requiring at least 7 days to deliver the grade.
In Colombia, prompt supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is available. Recommended lead times at the ports of Cartagena, Santa Marta, and Barranquilla are 3-4 days.
In Brazil, bunker availability is good at the port of Santos. However, the port is facing congestion that is expected to continue over the next 4-5 days.
VLSFO and LSMGO are available in Santos with lead times between 5-8 days, a trader said.
Availability is also normal in Rio Grande, Belem, and Vila do Conde, with suppliers recommending lead times of 4-6 days.
In Rio de Janeiro, availability of both grades is good, with the earliest delivery dates on 27-28 June.
Paranaguá has reported tight availability this week, with the earliest delivery date now on 7 July, a source told ENGINE.
In Argentina's Zona Comun, bunkering operations are currently suspended due to wind gusts exceeding 20 knots.
Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is steady at the anchorage, where both grades are supplied by barge. Lead times are 5-7 days this week.
By Gautamee Hazarika
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