North America
Houston’s bunker demand has decreased this week after a spike in demand last week. Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO has been good, and some suppliers can deliver both grades within 3-5 days. Prompt HSFO supply is available and lead times of 4-5 days are recommended for the grade.
Prompt delivery of VLSFO and LSMGO is available in Bolivar Roads. Lead times of 3-5 days are recommended. However, these deliveries are still subject to weather conditions and the availability of anchorage space, a source says.
Similarly, the availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is good in Beaumont and Port Arthur, and both grades can be secured immediately.
Bunker operations have been suspended in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) since Wednesday due to strong wind gusts. Operations are expected to resume with calmer weather on Friday, but bad weather is forecast to hit the region again from Saturday onwards.
Despite weather-related disruptions in GOLA, most suppliers can offer LSMGO and VLSFO stems with a lead time of 3-4 days.
Demand for HSFO has risen in GOLA and off Corpus Christi this week. Despite a new bunker supplier entering the market last month, the availability of high sulphur grade is still very tight there.
Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO remains good at the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA). Overall bunker demand has slowed down this week at the anchorage.
Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is good in the West Coast ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Several suppliers can deliver both grades with 5-7 days of lead times, which is better than the longer lead times typically seen in the West Coast ports. HSFO is also available but has a longer lead time of more than seven days.
Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO are available in the East Coast port of New York. Demand for HSFO in New York has been good this week. Competitive HSFO prices in the port have attracted demand.
Caribbean and Latin America
Prompt availability of all fuel grades is normal in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal. One supplier requires 2-3 days of lead time to deliver VLSFO stems in Balboa. Meanwhile, another supplier is unable to supply VLSFO and LSMGO prompt stems in the Panamanian port because of a tight delivery schedule.
VLSFO and LSMGO availability is good for prompt dates off Trinidad. However, demand has slowed down this week in the port.
Securing LSMGO and VLSFO stems in Jamaica’s Kingston can be possible for prompt dates. One supplier can offer VLSFO and LSMGO with a lead time of two days, while another supplier can offer prompt deliveries on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO stems is tight at Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage with most suppliers. Most suppliers are able to deliver VLSFO and LSMGO stems with lead times of up to seven days. One supplier said that they can deliver VLSFO stems within two days of lead time given that the weather permits.
Bunker operations in Zona Comun resumed on Thursday after being suspended for a day due to rough weather conditions. The region continues to experience strong gale-force wind gusts and the weather is expected to clear up from Friday morning. Delays are expected due to strong wind gusts, Antares Ship Agents said.
Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight in Brazil’s Rio Grande and Rio de Janeiro. One supplier requires lead times of 7-8 days to deliver stems there. On the other hand. VLSFO and LSMGO stems are available for prompt delivery dates in Salvador, a supplier said.
Source: ENGINE, By Debarati Bhattacharjee, https://engine.online/news