North America
Bunker demand has slowed in Houston and several other locations along the US Gulf Coast due to adverse weather conditions caused by Tropical Storm Alberto. Since Wednesday morning, all vessel traffic through the Houston Ship Channel has been suspended. The storm has brought heavy rain and high winds to the region, impacting vessel navigation.
Bunker barges can still operate in the northern part of the channel but are unable to head south. This is expected to delay bunker deliveries in Houston, Bolivar Roads, Freeport, Beaumont and Lake Charles.
Tropical Storm Alberto made landfall on the northeastern coast of Mexico on Thursday. All operations have been suspended at Mexico’s Tampico port, where bunker demand is usually very low due to the high prices of all fuel grades.
The Corpus Christi area is also experiencing heavy rainfall, and the storm is likely to upgrade to Tropical Cyclone Category 1. This may cause further delays for barges heading to Point Comfort.
Despite weather challenges, availability has been normal in Houston across grades. Several suppliers in Houston have ample VLSFO and LSMGO supplies and can offer prompt deliveries, depending on the weather conditions.
Demand in the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA) has picked up this week amid disruptions in most of the Gulf Coast ports. Several suppliers are able to offer VLSFO and LSMGO stems with a lead time of 4–7 days.
Bunkering has been suspended in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) since Monday amid extremely rough weather conditions. The region is currently facing gale-force wind gusts of 41 knots, and the weather is forecasted to remain severe until Sunday.
Demand has remained low in the West Coast ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles this week. Availability of all grades is normal, with lead times of around 5-7 days recommended in both ports.
On the other hand, San Francisco on the West Coast has seen an uptick in demand this week.
VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in the East Coast port of New York. Overall, bunker demand has been slow in New York so far this week.
Baltimore has seen a steady flow of enquiries this week. The port’s bunker demand is gradually picking up after the channel reopened fully earlier this month.
Caribbean and Latin America
Bunker fuel demand has been good in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal. Product availability is also good in both locations, with several suppliers able to supply all fuel grades with a lead time of 5-7 days.
As of now, the Panama Canal Authority allows 32 daily transits. This number will be increased to 33 starting 11 July and further to 34 transits from 22 July.
VLSFO and LSMGO grades are available at Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage, with recommended lead times of 5-7 days. Bunker demand has been low in the past week. However, strong wind gusts are forecast to hit the anchorage on Thursday evening, potentially affecting bunker operations in Zona Comun.
Bunker fuel availability has been normal in the Brazilian ports of Santos. Several suppliers are able to offer LSMGO stems with a lead time of 5-6 days.
Bunker demand remains muted in Rio Grande. Bunker buyers are still cautious about lifting bunkers there, a source says.
Source: ENGINE (https://engine.online/news)