North America
Bunker fuel availability across all grades in Houston is steady this week, with lead times recommended at under seven days.
Fog conditions remain a concern across several US Gulf Coast ports, with visibility fluctuating due to moderate to high fog threats in key locations.
Ports such as Galveston, Port Arthur, and Lake Charles are experiencing periods of reduced visibility, particularly in the evenings and early mornings, with some areas seeing high-impact fog. Conditions are expected to improve by 17 March.
Pilot service in the Sabine-Neches Waterway was suspended due to fog last week but resumed on 9 March.
Patchy fog is expected this morning, clearing later in the day, while widespread dense fog is forecast overnight with increasing clouds and gusty south winds.
High wind gusts have caused some delays to bunkering operations in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA).
Suppliers in New York can offer VLSFO and LSMGO for prompt deliveries, with lead times of around 5-6 days. HSFO remains in tighter supply and requires longer lead times.
New York could experience possible disruptions from high wind gusts until Monday. There are no reported backlog congestion or bunker barge readiness issues at this time, a source said.
On the West Coast, fuel availability has improved across all grades in Los Angeles and Long Beach. Suppliers recommend lead times of more than seven days for VLSFO and LSMGO.
In Canada's Montreal, high wind gusts are expected to impact operations from 15-17 March. Barge operations remain restricted to daylight hours, contributing to backlog congestion.
Caribbean and Latin America
Bunker fuel availability for prompt deliveries has been tight in Panama's Balboa and Cristobal ports, with Cristobal experiencing further constraints due to a limited number of barges.
VLSFO deliveries require lead times of approximately 9-10 days.
In Argentina, the port of Bahía Blanca, which is a major wheat export hub, is gradually resuming operations after the gale that struck on 7 March. Pilots and tugboats are now fully operational, aiding in the recovery of port activities.
Gale-force winds, typically ranging from 34-40 knots, can create rough sea conditions, making it difficult for vessels to navigate and for port activities to continue safely.
A labor strike that began late on 12 March at several grain and oilseed terminals in Argentina's Upriver port region could disrupt cargo operations and affect bunker demand, as vessels may face extended wait times for grain shipments.
VLSFO availability remains tight at the Zona Comun anchorage, with suppliers recommending lead times of around two weeks. High wind gusts forecasted through the week could further delay bunker deliveries, a source says.
VLSFO and LSMGO availability for prompt supply in Santa Marta, Barranquilla and Cartagena is good.
Source: ENGINE, https://engine.online/news