North America
Demand for bunker fuel in Houston has been good this week. VLSFO has become tighter as some suppliers are running low on stocks. The earliest estimated delivery dates for VLSFO range from 6-8 days. LSMGO is readily available for prompt delivery days in the port, with a recommended lead time of 3-5 days.
HSFO has been in demand this week and become tighter. Several suppliers are unable to offer stems for delivery dates until the second week of November.
In Beaumont and Bolivar Roads, suppliers are able to deliver LSMGO and VLSFO stems with a shorter lead time of 3-5 days.
Bunker operations in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) have been suspended since Monday due to rough weather conditions. The situation is expected to persist until next week, potentially causing delays.
As a result, securing VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries for prompt dates in GOLA can be difficult. One supplier is reluctant to provide prompt stems as it is still working to clear last week’s weather backlogs. The supplier cannot guarantee prompt delivery dates at this time.
Similarly, suppliers in Port Arthur and Corpus Christi have also been grappling with weather-related disruptions this week.
Securing prompt VLSFO and LSMGO stems is possible at the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA). Several suppliers are able to offer both fuel grades with a lead time of 3-5 days.
Demand has been low for all grades in the West Coast ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, and suppliers are mostly able to accommodate deliveries for prompt dates. LSMGO prices in Los Angeles and Long Beach have declined steeply with the tepid demand.
Demand for bunker fuel in Vancouver has been better for dates further out than for prompt dates, and availability is good with most suppliers.
Bunker fuel oil availability for prompt dates is normal in the East Coast port of New York. Most suppliers are able to deliver stems within 3-4 days.
Caribbean and Latin America
Demand for all fuel grades has strengthened in Panama’s ports of Balboa and Cristobal in the past week. Availability has been very good for VLSFO and LSMGO, and one supplier is able to offer stems immediately in Balboa. HSFO can be secured with a lead time of 4-7 days.
In Jamaica’s Kingston, there has been more demand for VLSFO and LSMGO on delivery dates further out than for prompt ones. Most suppliers are able to deliver stems on enquired dates.
VLSFO and LSMGO delivery is possible for prompt dates off Trinidad, but these offers are generally quoted on a subject to enquiry basis, a source says.
Demand has been good for all grades in the Brazilian ports. Most suppliers can deliver VLSFO and LSMGO in Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande and Santos with advised lead times ranging between 3-7 days.
Bunker One resumed bunker operations in Brazil’s port of Itaqui on Tuesday, after a licensing dispute with local authorities had triggered a two-week suspension of port operations.
Due to strong wind gusts, bunker operations have been suspended in Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage area since Monday. Calmer weather is forecast from Thursday onwards and could allow bunker operations to resume at the anchorage.
VLSFO and LSMGO availability is still tight in Zona Comun, with more than seven days of lead times recommended.
Source: ENGINE, By Debarati Bhattacharjee, https://engine.online/news