Americas Fuel Availability Outlook 29 Jan

GOLA deliveries hit by weather-related disruption

LA container ship traffic to increase

HSFO tight in Panama

IMAGE: The port of Santa Marta, Colombia. Getty Images.

North America

Bunker fuel demand in Houston is normal, and recommended lead times for all three conventional fuel grades remains unchanged from last week' 6–10 days.

The US Gulf region is currently in its fog season.

At the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), possible disruptions and delays to bunkering operations are expected until 31 January due to high winds and high seas, a source said.

Bunkering operations, which were suspended on 26 January, resumed on 28 January, though some delays are expected at the anchorage from early morning on 30 January through late morning the following day.

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

At the New York harbour this week, the weather has impacted bunker deliveries and cargo operations. Cargo terminals were closed for two days due to storms, a source said.

All operations are expected to return to normal, starting Monday afternoon next week.

Recommended lead times for VLSFO and HSFO are 4–7 days, while LSMGO is available within 1–2 days this week.

However, the port is forecast to experience high wind gusts of up to 35 knots from Saturday night, which could generate waves of 3–4 feet and occasionally up to 5 feet, a ship agent said.

On the US West Coast, bunker demand has seen a mild uptick. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have normal availability, with most suppliers able to deliver all three conventional fuel grades within 6–7 days.

Container traffic is expected to increase, with 21 vessel arrivals forecast for next week, up from 17 this week, according to the ports’ vessel tracker Signal.

Port of Los Angeles' Executive Director Gene Seroka said this month that the port handled 10.2 million container units in 2025, the third-best result in its 118-year history and the third time it has exceeded 10 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs).

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

In Panama, HSFO availability is tight and requires a notice of 6–9 days this week, a source said. VLSFO availability is better and requires between 5–7 days.

In Colombia, lead times for VLSFO stand at around 2 days, while LSMGO requires around 3 days. In ports where HSFO is available, such as Santa Marta and Barranquilla, the earliest delivery dates are around 3 days too, a trader told ENGINE.

In the Bahamas’ Freeport, possible disruptions are expected between 31 January - 2 February due to high wind gusts in the region. Prolonged delays are expected during this period, a source said. Deliveries are being carried out, with cruise vessels being prioritised.

In Brazil, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is steady in Santos, with lead times of around 5–8 days. In Rio de Janeiro, availability has improved for both grades, with a notice of 4–5 days required this week.

At OPL Sepetiba, availability is okay, and the earliest delivery dates for VLSFO and LSMGO are between 31 January and 2 February. In Salvador, availability is also good for prompt delivery, with lead times of 1-2 days for both grades.

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

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 dates for VLSFO are within 1–2 days, while LSMGO is currently unavailable at the port.

In Argentina’s Zona Común, possible disruptions are expected between 28 January - 1 February, due to high wind gusts. Deliveries are currently underway and will be suspended when wind speeds exceed 20 knots, in line with local authority guidance.

Deliveries are being carried out on a 'first-come, first-serve' basis and remain subject to weather conditions. Lead times at the anchorage for VLSFO and LSMGO stand at around 6–7 days.

By Gautamee Hazarika

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