North America

Bunker demand in Houston has picked up again this week. VLSFO and LSMGO availability in Houston has remained good so far, with most suppliers able to offer both grades within 4-6 days of lead time. Prompt HSFO availability remains tight in Houston. Lead times of 7-8 days are recommended for the grade.

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO supply is normal in Bolivar Roads. Several suppliers are able to deliver both grades with a lead time of 4-5 days.
Similarly, the availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is good in Beaumont and Port Arthur, but demand has been low in these ports this week.

Bunker operations were running smoothly in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA on Thursday. However, strong wind gusts of up to 37 knots are forecast from Friday, which could keep bunkering suspended until Sunday. One supplier can offer prompt VLSFO deliveries on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Most suppliers can offer VLSFO for prompt dates at the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA) within five days. However, LSMGO and HSFO availability can be tight with few suppliers and prices can hugely vary between suppliers at the location, a source says.

All grades are tight for prompt delivery dates in the West Coast ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Most suppliers need at least seven days of lead time to deliver VLSFO and LSMGO stems in the ports. Securing HSFO can be even tighter as only a few suppliers have supply available.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is said to be normal in the East Coast port of New York, a trader says.

Caribbean and Latin America

Prompt availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal. Few suppliers are able to deliver these two fuel grades with a lead time of 3-4 days. However, the availability of HSFO remains tight in Panama’s ports. One supplier is able to deliver HSFO stems after 18 October.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO stems remains tight at Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage. Despite tight supply, the lead times have eased a bit amid calmer weather conditions this week. One supplier is able to deliver stems after 13 October, the earliest delivery date with another supplier is 18 October.

Strong wind gusts are forecast to hit the Zona Comun area on Friday, which could disrupt bunkering again.

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO availability can be tight in Brazil’s Rio Grande. One supplier requires a lead time of 11 days to deliver stems. On the other hand. VLSFO and LSMGO stems can be secured for prompt dates in Salvador and Rio de Janeiro.
Source: Engine, https://engine.online/news/availability/americas-fuel-availability-outlook-5-october-2023-51f5