New York’s LSMGO price has surged to wider premiums over other key regional ports this week amid limited volumes to supply. Several suppliers have no availability for prompt delivery dates. At least one has sold out and is unsure when it will get resupplied.
Distillate stocks in the US Central Atlantic region, which covers New York and New Jersey, have been drawn to 10.74 million bbls, or less than half of their levels in December, according to Energy Information Administration (EIA) data.
Fuel oil stock builds on the US Gulf Coast and East Coast have helped raise total US inventories in April.
Rising imports have supported the build. Imports are up by 55% from March. Russia has been replaced by Mexico in April as the US’ biggest fuel oil import source, Vortexa cargo tracking data shows. Russia was still the second biggest source in April, but imports dwindled towards the end of the month as the full effects of the US import ban on Russian oil kicked in.
A two-tiered market has taken shape in the Houston area, where one supplier has been pricing VLSFO consistently below others. Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is said to be normal, while HSFO380 is tighter with only two suppliers currently offering the grade in Houston.
HSFO380 availability has tightened both in the Houston area and in offshore locations like the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA). HSFO380 has been priced in a wide range in Houston amid volatile underlying crude values and a quickly changing availabilities among suppliers.
Suppliers in Los Angeles and Long Beach also recommend a good number of lead time days. One supplier can deliver VLSFO and LSMGO with 11 days of lead time, another with shorter notice.
LSMGO is tight with suppliers in Trinidad, while readily available in Colombia’s Cartagena where a supplier can deliver with two days of lead time.
Prompt supply of all grades is tight in Balboa, where suppliers’ earliest delivery dates mostly range between 8-12 days out. Two suppliers might be able to accommodate deliveries with 6-7 days of lead time, but congestion has been cited as a reason for tightening availability.
Rough weather in Zona Comun over the weekend and for a period during this week pushed back delivery schedules and created a bunker backlog. Prompt availability is tight as suppliers work through these backlogs. VLSFO and LSMGO availability is said to be normal at the Argentinian anchorage, with prompt deliveries possible when weather conditions allow. Calm weather is forecast for the coming week.
There is no VLSFO available in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, or any estimated time for when it will be back on offer. Supply of the grade is also tight in Rio Grande and Paranagua, but stems can be offered with around seven days of lead time in these ports.
Source: ENGINE (https://engine.online/)