North America

Overall demand has dropped in Houston in the past week. Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO availability are tight with some suppliers in Houston. A lead time of 6-7 days is generally recommended to ensure full coverage from all suppliers in the area.

Currently, bunkering is proceeding normally in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA). Calmer weather conditions are forecast to prevail until Monday next week. Most suppliers are able to deliver VLSFO and LSMGO stems with a lead time of 5-7 days.

Demand has improved in the East Coast port of New York in the past week. One supplier is able to deliver LSMGO stems for prompt dates. For VLSFO, most suppliers can deliver stems within 3-4 days of lead time.

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO availability are tight in Beaumont. The earliest delivery date with a supplier is from 24 May, a source says.

HSFO availability remains tight for prompt dates and for dates further out in the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles on the US West Coast. One supplier is able to supply stems with a longer lead time of about two weeks.

Securing VLSFO and LSMGO grades for prompt dates is possible in Los Angeles as demand has again slowed in the port. Most suppliers can deliver stems with a lead time of 4-5 days advised, down from last week’s 7-8 days.

Caribbean and Latin America

VLSFO and LSMGO availability are tight in Panama’s Balboa. Recommended lead times are about seven days, a source says. HSFO supply remains “super tight” in both ports. The earliest delivery date with one supplier in Balboa stretches out to second week of June.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is getting tighter for prompt dates at Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage. Some suppliers can deliver stems within 6-7 days of lead time, up from last week’s five-day lead time.

High winds are forecast at Zona Comun between Friday and Sunday evening, which could trigger bunker suspension or delays.

One supplier can supply VLSFO and LSMGO from 20 May onwards in the Brazilian ports of Salvador and Rio Grande.
Source: ENGINE, By Debarati Bhattacharjee, https://engine.online/news