Americas Fuel Availability Outlook 6 Aug

New York bunker demand weakens

Vancouver holds steady supply

Avails tight in Paranagua, Rio Grande

IMAGE: Cargo ship in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Getty Images

North America

In Houston, despite prompt availability being tight across the three conventional fuel grades, bunker demand has been strong over the past week.

Suppliers recommend lead times of 5-7 days for HSFO and VLSFO, and LSMGO can be delivered within 4-5 days, a trader said.

At the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), bunker deliveries continue on a first-come, first-served basis, and are subject to weather conditions. All three conventional fuel grades are available at the anchorage location. Lead times range between 5-8 days this week, a source said.

No significant weather-related disruptions are expected across the key US Gulf Coast ports this week.

In New York, bunker demand has slightly softened this week, and prompt availability for HSFO and VLSFO is a bit tight. Suppliers recommend lead times of 6-8 days for both grades, while LSMGO can be delivered within 3-5 days.

No backlog or bunker barge readiness issues have been reported.

At the US West Coast ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, bunker demand is reported to be strong. Availability has improved over the past few weeks, with most suppliers able to deliver stems of all three conventional fuel grades within lead times of 6-7 days.

In Vancouver, Canada, bunker fuel demand is good, and availability is stable for HSFO and LSMGO. Suppliers have recommended lead times between 5-8 days this week. VLSFO requires longer lead times this week, a source said.

Latin America and the Caribbean

In Panama, bunker demand is normal, and availability is good at both Balboa and Cristobal. VLSFO and LSMGO can be delivered within lead times of 4-6 days, while HSFO requires at least five days this week, a source said.

Deliveries in Balboa are being carried out on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to weather conditions, with priority given to vessels with confirmed Panama Canal transit schedules.

In Colombia, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is good at the ports of Santa Marta, Cartagena and Barranquilla, with the earliest delivery dates available in 3-5 days, a source said.

In Brazil, bunker availability is decent at Santos, Belem and Vila do Conde, where suppliers recommend lead times of 4-7 days for VLSFO and LSMGO.

Availability is tighter in Paranaguá, while in Rio Grande, it has tightened further, with the earliest delivery date for stems now more than a week away, a trader said.

In Rio de Janeiro, VLSFO can be delivered within lead times of 5-8 days while LSMGO is available under prior consultation.

Petrobras Marine has expanded its bunker supply operations to the Port of Suape by launching barge deliveries of VLSFO and LSMGO this week. The supplier previously delivered both grades only via pipeline at the port.

In Chile, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is steady, with suppliers recommending lead times of 5-7 days. HSFO is no longer available in the country.

In Argentina's Zona Comun, suppliers recommend lead times of 6-7 days. High wind gusts are forecast between 6-9 August, which could delay bunker operations when wind speeds exceed 20 knots due to the suspension of operations.

By Gautamee Hazarika

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