North America

All grades remain tight for prompt delivery dates in the Houston area and bunker locations off the Gulf Coast. A lead time of seven days is generally recommended for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO in the Houston area, up from 3-5 days at the beginning of the month.

The recent fog disruptions in the Houston Ship Channel have pushed back product loadings at terminals. Calmer weather conditions are forecast over the coming days and could help to normalise product loadings and subsequently reduce lead times, a source says.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in the East Coast port of New York. Both grades are readily available for prompt days, a source says. HSFO is said to be slightly tighter and a longer lead time is generally recommended.

Rough weather conditions continue to disrupt deliveries in Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) as in recent weeks. Barges are trying to deliver stems in GOLA when the weather permits. Meanwhile, deliveries at the more sheltered port of Galveston continue to run smoothly and no delays have been reported there.

All grades remain tight for prompt delivery dates in the West Coast ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Two suppliers require at least 10 days of lead time for VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries. HSFO lead times are typically longer.

But securing stems of 500 mt or less for any grades remains trickier in Long Beach and Los Angeles, a source says.

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO supply is tight in San Francisco. One supplier has held back offers for the remaining days of this month amid tight barge availability.
HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Mexico’s Manzanillo. One supplier requires five days of lead time.

Caribbean and Latin America

All grades remain tight for prompt dates in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal. Some suppliers have held back offers for prompt dates amid tight schedules, and some are keen to supply stems for dates further out. One supplier requires at least seven days of lead time for VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries in Balboa.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal off Trinidad. One supplier can offer stems for prompt dates.

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO is readily available in Peru’s Callao. But HSFO supply remains tight for both prompt dates and dates further out. Two suppliers are running low on HSFO supply, a source says.

Bunker fuel availability is normal in Colombia’s Cartagena and Santa Marta. Recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO are about 3-4 days, a trader says.

Bunker fuel availability is normal at Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage. One supplier can deliver stems for very prompt dates (0-3 days) if the weather permits. In the past days, rough weather conditions have disrupted bunker operations in Zona Comun. High winds are forecast until Saturday and could push back bunker operations.
Source: ENGINE, By Nithin Chandran, https://engine.online/