North America
VLSFO and LSMGO grades are readily available in the Houston area and off the US Gulf Coast.
LSMGO availability is normal in Lake Charles. A supplier can supply on prompt dates.
Prompt VLSFO availability has been slightly patchier in New York, particularly during the second half of last week. But supplies have gradually improved coming into this week, sources say. LSMGO remains readily available in New York.
Supply remains tight across all fuel grades in US West Coast ports. Several suppliers in Long Beach and Los Angeles are fully booked for prompt dates. Recommended lead times are about 10 days with several suppliers. One supplier can offer deliveries with a shorter lead time of six days.
Suppliers’ earliest HSFO delivery dates are mostly subject to enquiry across US Gulf Coast and West Coast ports, sources say.
Buyers are struggling to secure VLSFO stems in Vancouver, both for prompt dates and for dates further out. Suppliers are running low on stock, sources say.
Tight VLSFO availability has mostly been attributed to a lack of product volumes available, while some argue that the tugboat strike in Vancouver could have impacted barge mobility.
One bunker supplier in Vancouver is set to receive a VLSFO resupply cargo this weekend, which should ease some supply constraints. Another supplier is fully booked for the entire month of September, sources say. LSMGO is available but limited to only one supplier offering it, sources say.
The lack of VLSFO supply in Vancouver has forced buyers to consider bunkering in Port Angeles on the US West Coast, where prompt availability has tightened across all grades, partly due to a recent spike in enquiries. A supplier in Port Angeles is unable to commit to new deliveries on prompt dates. It requires around 8-9 days of lead times.
Caribbean and Latin America
Availability is normal across all grades in Mexico’s Manzanillo. Recommended lead times for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO are about five days out. Prompt deliveries can be accommodated based on enquiries, sources say.
All grades remain in tight availability in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal. Availability is said to be tighter in Cristobal than in Balboa. Certain suppliers in Cristobal are hesitant to supply for prompt dates due to tight barge schedules. One supplier is able to offer some VLSFO for prompt dates in Cristobal.
Securing VLSFO for prompt dates can be difficult off Trinidad. A supplier is unable to offer deliveries for prompt dates as it is set to receive resupply cargoes in the coming days. Recommended lead times for VLSFO are about 9-10 days.
VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight for prompt dates in Zona Comun. The earliest delivery dates with some suppliers are 6-8 days out.
Another supplier is unable to offer standalone LSMGO stems, preferring them combined with VLSFO.
Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal in Colombia’s Cartagena and Santa Marta. Some suppliers can offer deliveries for prompt dates in both ports.
MGO and VLSFO supply is normal in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro and Santos. A supplier is able to offer deliveries for both prompt dates and dates further out, sources say.
Danish bunker supplier Monjasa has announced it has chartered a 1,500 cbm- capacity bunker barge, the TWB-250, to deliver MGO stems in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro.
It previously delivered MGO by truck to vessels at berth in Rio de Janeiro and TWB-250 would allow it to deliver stems to anchored vessels.
Source: ENGINE (By Nithin Chandran, https://engine.online/)