Americas Fuel Availability Outlook 30 July
Bunker demand is strong in Houston
Fuel availability is good in Panama
Tight avails in Paranagua, Rio Grande
IMAGE: The tugs and cargo ships docked at a port in the Caribbean. Getty Images
North America
Bunker fuel demand at the Port of Houston has been strong over the past week. Availability is decent at the port, with most suppliers recommending lead times of 5-7 days for HSFO and VLSFO.
LSMGO availability is better at the port and can be delivered within 3-4 days, a trader said.
In the US Gulf, bunkering operations are currently underway at the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA). At the anchorage, HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO are available in around 5-7 days this week.
Weather conditions have been rough over the past week, causing a few delays at the anchorage.
Disruptions were forecast between 28-30 July due to swells, with another period of potential disruption expected between 1-2 August, as strong winds are expected, a source said.
Fog-related disruptions to remain limited across most US Gulf Coast ports through 5 August, with low visibility risks prevailing.
Moderate fog is forecast between 2-4 August across parts of the central Gulf Coast, including Lake Charles, Marsh Island, Port Fourchon, New Orleans, Venice, Pascagoula and Mobile Bay, mainly overnight and during the early morning.
Tampa faces the highest fog risk, while Texas ports are expected to see mostly low visibility risks, with only isolated periods of moderate fog.
On the US East Coast, fuel demand in New York has been steady, and HSFO and LSMGO availability is normal. Suppliers have recommended lead times of 3-7 days for the two grades this week. VLSFO availability at the port is expected to tighten and currently requires at least five days of lead time with most suppliers, a source said.
On the West Coast, bunker demand has slumped, and prompt availability of all three conventional fuel grades is tight. Recommended lead times for the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are 6-8 days.
A few suppliers may be able to make faster deliveries, depending on their availability, a trader said.
In Canada's Vancouver, marine fuel demand is good, and availability is good across all three fuel grades of HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO.
Suppliers have recommended lead times between 5-8 days this week.
Post-Tropical Cyclone Fausto is generating large swells and dangerous surf along east-facing shores of the Hawaiian Islands as it passes north of the islands.
Large waves and strong currents are expected to persist, creating hazardous coastal conditions.
Latin America and the Caribbean
Panama has good availability across all three conventional fuel grades, a source said.
At the ports of Balboa and Cristobal, HSFO and LSMGO can be delivered within lead times of 3-4 days. VLSFO requires slightly longer lead times but can be delivered in under five days.
In Colombia, bunker demand has been strong for VLSFO and LSMGO at the ports of Cartagena, Barranquilla and Santa Marta. The earliest delivery dates for VLSFO and LSMGO are 3-4 days.
HSFO is not regularly available at these ports but can be supplied at times, a trader said.
At Callao, availability of all three conventional bunker grades is normal. Suppliers recommend lead times of 4-5 days for VLSFO, HSFO and LSMGO deliveries.
In Chile, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal, with suppliers recommending lead times of 4-5 days. HSFO is not available at the country's ports.
In Brazil, traders said Santos is experiencing congestion, but bunker availability remains normal. Recommended lead times for both VLSFO and LSMGO are 5-8 days.
In Rio de Janeiro, VLSFO availability is normal with lead times of 4-7 days, while LSMGO is available only on a case-by-case basis, a source told ENGINE.
Paranaguá and Rio Grande continue to face tight availability for both VLSFO and LSMGO, with lead times extending to a week or more. Belém and Vila do Conde continue to have good availability of both grades, with recommended lead times of 4-7 days.
In Argentina's Zona Comun, bunkering operations are underway through barges. VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal, with suppliers typically making deliveries within 6-7 days, a source said.
High wind gusts could disrupt bunker operations between 30-31 July. Delays are possible when wind speeds exceed 20 knots.
By Gautamee Hazarika
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