North America
VLSFO and LSMGO availability is slightly tight for prompt dates in the Houston area and US Gulf Coast. But some suppliers can supply both grades for prompt deliveries.
Four suppliers can offer VLSFO and LSMGO for prompt dates in Bolivar Roads, while others have held back offers amid tight delivery schedules.
Prompt supply is tight in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) as some suppliers still work to clear bunker backlogs from multiple weather disruptions over the past week. The recommended lead time for VLSFO and LSMGO is about five days out.
The weather was calmer in GOLA on Thursday, but the intensity of winds and swells is expected to increase on Friday, which may cause another bunker delay or suspension. Suppliers in GOLA and in other lightering areas off the US Gulf Coast typically wait for rough weather to clear off before resuming any offers, sources say.
Suppliers’ earliest HSFO delivery dates are mostly subject to enquiry across US Gulf Coast and West Coast ports, sources say.
All grades remain tight for prompt dates in the twin ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles on the US West Coast. The majority of suppliers in both ports are booked up for prompt dates. Recommended lead times are around 10 days, but some suppliers can accommodate earlier stems.
LSMGO availability is tight for prompt dates in Baltimore. A supplier is running low on stock, while another requires four days of lead times.
Availability continues to be steady across all fuel grades in Mexico’s Manzanillo. Recommended lead times for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO are about five days out, while prompt stems can be accommodated, sources say.
Caribbean and Latin America
All grades are tight for prompt dates in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal. The earliest delivery dates for VLSFO and LSMGO with two suppliers in Balboa are about five days out, while another supplier requires seven days of lead time. Two other suppliers are unable to confirm their delivery dates due to tight availability.
Lead times can be longer in Cristobal than in Balboa due to limited product availability among suppliers, sources say.
VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in off Trinidad, where a supplier can offer both grades for prompt dates.
Hurricane Lisa, which hit the Caribbean Sea region this week, had a limited impact on bunkering in Jamaica’s Kingston. Several suppliers in Kingston resumed offers on Tuesday after the hurricane had passed. Recommended lead times for VLSFO in Kingston are about 3-5 days.
VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Colombia’s Cartagena and Santa Marta. One supplier can supply for prompt dates in both ports, while another requires three days of lead time.
HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Peru’s Callao. A supplier can supply the grades for prompt dates.
VLSFO supply is tight in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro. A supplier can offer deliveries from 9 November onwards.
Source: ENGINE, By Nithin Chandran (https://engine.online/)