North America
Bunker fuel demand has slowed down in Houston this week, but availability of all fuel grades remains tight for prompt dates. Most suppliers are fully booked for both prompt dates and dates further out, while some can offer VLSFO and LSMGO stems with a lead time of 7-8 days in Houston.
Some buyers are considering other bunkering locations like the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) to lift bunkers because securing prompt stems is tougher in Houston. Demand has picked up in GOLA this week as suppliers can offer VLSFO and LSMGO stems with a short lead time of 1-3 days.
Prompt supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is also tight in Bolivar Roads. Bunker deliveries there are subject to weather conditions and the availability of anchorage space, a source says. One of the suppliers is unable to offer VLSFO for delivery dates this week as well as next week.
In Beaumont and Port Arthur, demand has been muted this week.
Prompt VLSFO availability at the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA) remains good. The grade can be secured with a lead time of 4-5 days. However, demand has been slow in NOLA this week when compared to demand in the previous weeks.
All grades are tight for prompt delivery dates in the West Coast ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Most suppliers require more than seven days of lead time to deliver VLSFO and LSMGO stems in both ports. Securing HSFO can be more difficult than the other two grades, a source says.
On the other hand, HSFO can be easily secured in San Francisco on the West Coast with a lead time of 5-6 days.
Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO are available in the East Coast port of New York.
Demand has reduced this week in the Canadian East Coast ports of Montreal and Halifax, compared to very strong demand last week. Availability has improved in both locations, with suppliers now offering stems with a lead time of 5–6 days.
Caribbean and Latin America
Bunker fuel demand has been good in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal. Product availability is also good in both locations, with several suppliers able to supply all fuel grades with a lead time of 5-7 days.
VLSFO and LSMGO grades are available at Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage, with recommended lead times of 5-7 days. Bunker demand has remained low in the past week.
Bunker operations were running normally in Zona Comun on Thursday morning. However, rough weather conditions are forecast from Thursday evening onwards, and the weather is expected to remain severe until Saturday. This may result in prolonged delays and disruptions, a source says.
The bunker barge Gustavo U started supplying fuel again in Zona Comun on Monday after undergoing maintenance since 5 July.
Bunker fuel availability has been normal in the Brazilian port of Santos. Several suppliers can offer VLSFO and LSMGO stems with a lead time of 3-4 days in the port.
Source: ENGINE, https://engine.online/news