North America
Bunker demand has slowed in Houston and in several other ports along the US Gulf Coast this week amid ongoing weather-related disruptions. Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO supply is available with a few suppliers in Houston. However, bunker deliveries there are still subject to weather conditions, a source says.
Houston’s bunker barges are being affected by icy conditions at oil loading terminals, causing delays for deliveries in Houston, Texas City, Galveston, Bolivar Roads, Freeport, Port Arthur & Beaumont, a source says.
Strong north winds of 25-30 knots and choppy waters have kept inbound vessel traffic through the Houston Ship Channel and through the Galveston/Texas City Channel disrupted since Monday evening, Inchcape Shipping Services said.
A moderate to high risk of fog and reduced visibility is also forecast around Corpus Christi, Lake Charles, Port Arthur, Galveston and Freeport on Thursday, which could delay vessel traffic around the region and through the Houston Ship Channel, a source says.
Bunkering was proceeding normally in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) on Thursday morning, after being suspended earlier this week. However, strong wind gusts are forecast over the weekend, which could potentially impact bunkering in the lightering area. Availability of bunker fuel in GOLA, particularly HSFO, has been very tight due to recent intermittent weather suspensions in the region.
Securing both prompt and non-prompt VLSFO and LSMGO stems remains tight at the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA), partly because of good demand in the region. Some suppliers are unable to provide an exact date for when they will have the stems available.
It can be difficult to secure prompt delivery of bunker fuels in the West Coast ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Most suppliers require more than seven days of lead time for VLSFO and LSMGO in both ports. Securing HSFO can be even more challenging as only a few suppliers have supplies available.
In the East Coast port of New York, all grades are available for prompt delivery dates. But overall demand has been slow so far this week. Most suppliers are able to offer stems for delivery within 3-4 days.
Very prompt supply (0-2 days) of LSMGO stems in Pascagoula is available with one supplier.
Caribbean and Latin America
Bunker fuel demand continues to be low across Panama’s ports amid ongoing vessel transit restrictions imposed by the Panama Canal Authority. Due to the low water level in Gatun Lake, the Panama Canal Authority has limited the number of vessels that can cross the waterway, resulting in a substantial increase in waiting time there.
Availability of all fuel grades is good in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal.
VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight in Jamaica’s Kingston. One supplier needs a lead time of at least 10 days to deliver stems there.
Bunker operations have been suspended in Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage since Wednesday due to strong wind gusts. Rough weather conditions are forecast until Saturday, which could keep bunkering suspended there. Bunkering is expected to resume with calmer weather, and delivery prospects can change on a case-by-case basis from next week.
Availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO has been tight in Zona Comun this week. One supplier can supply VLSFO and LSMFO stems after 5 February.
Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight in Brazil’s biggest port – Santos. One supplier requires a lead time of 9-12 days to supply VLSFO and LSMGO in the port. Bunker fuel availability appears to be normal in other Brazilian ports like Rio Grande and Rio de Janeiro.
Source: ENGINE, By Debarati Bhattacharjee, https://engine.online/news