North America
Bunker prices for all fuel grades in ports across major ports in the US have risen with Brent over the past week. Demand has dropped slightly, with many bunker buyers appearing to wait for Brent to stabilise before fixing stems, a source says.
Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight with some suppliers in Houston. One supplier can offer the two grades with around two days of lead time in the Houston area. Some other suppliers require a longer lead time of seven days. Price offers can vary greatly between suppliers.
HSFO remains tighter in Houston, partly due to fewer suppliers offering the grade.
Securing LSMGO and VLSFO stems in Bolivar Roads can be possible for prompt dates. One supplier can offer VLSFO and LSMGO for prompt dates if the weather permits, while another supplier can offer prompt deliveries on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Suppliers in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) can accommodate prompt stems within 4-5 days of lead time amid conducive weather conditions this week.
VLSFO and LSMGO availability is said to be normal at the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA). Most suppliers can offer stems with a recommended lead time of five days.
Securing stems for prompt dates in the West Coast ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles can be tricky. Recommended lead times have gone up from last week’s 5-6 days to 7-8 days now. HSFO in Los Angeles will require a longer lead time of at least 10-11 days, with just two suppliers offering it.
VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in San Francisco. One supplier requires six days of lead time.
Fixing stems in Vancouver further up the North American west coast is easier. A supplier can deliver LSMGO and VLSFO stems with a lead time of 2-4 days.
Availability is normal in the East Coast port of New York. Recommended lead times are about 6-7 days. However, some suppliers can deliver stems on very prompt dates.
LSMGO availability is tight for prompt dates in Baltimore. Most suppliers are able to offer stems for dates further out in July.
Caribbean and Latin America
Tropical Storm Bret has moved closer to the southern Caribbean region and is forecast to lash Trinidad and other islands there with strong winds, heavy rains and storm surges. Ports and vessels in the area have been warned that Bret could strike as in the early hours of Thursday local time.
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has also issued an alert for Barbados, Dominica, Martinique and St. Lucia, but has clarified that Tropical Storm Bret may not strengthen to a hurricane.
However, some suppliers off Trinidad continues to offer LSMGO and VLSFO stems for very prompt (0-3 days) days.
Demand has been muted in Jamaica’s Kingston. Availability is good for prompt dates with most suppliers.
VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Panama’s Balboa, where several suppliers are able to supply the fuel grades with a lead time of 4-5 days, down from last week’s 6-8 days. HSFO remains tighter in the port and availability of the grade is now subject to enquiry, a source says.
The Brazilian port of Belem has seen an uptick of VLSFO and LSMGO demand in the past week. Availability is good in the port with a lead time of 2-3 days.
Prompt availability of VLSFO and LSMGO remains normal in Brazilian ports of Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande. Some suppliers can deliver stems with just two days of lead time.
Prompt deliveries of VLSFO and LSMGO are possible at Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage, with recommended lead times of 5-7 days. Bunker demand has been low in the past week. With calmer weather, suppliers have delivered stems as scheduled.
Source: Engine