North America
Demand has remained good for all fuel grades in Houston this week. Several suppliers in the Houston area can deliver VLSFO and LSMGO for prompt delivery dates, with a recommended lead time of 4-5 days. HSFO availability has been tight with most suppliers in Houston, the grade requires a longer lead time of more than seven days, a source says.
Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is tight in Bolivar Roads. Deliveries are subject to weather conditions and anchorage schedules, a source says.
Suppliers in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) can accommodate prompt VLSFO and LSMGO stems with 4-5 days of lead time amid calm weather conditions this week. One supplier can deliver HSFO stems with a longer lead time of eight days. While others can offer the fuel grade on a subject to enquiry basis.
Demand for LSMGO and VLSFO have improved at the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA) and stems can be secured for very prompt (0-3 days) dates.
Bunker fuel availability in the West Coast ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles has improved this week. One supplier can offer LSMGO and HSFO stems in Los Angeles within 4-5 days of lead time.
Demand has been weak in Seattle and Vancouver further up the North American west coast. Some suppliers can deliver LSMGO and VLSFO stems in Vancouver with a recommended lead time of seven days.
Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO for prompt dates is normal in the East Coast port of New York. HSFO availability remains tight in the port.
Caribbean and Latin America
Tropical Storm Calvin brushed through the southern part of Hawaii on Wednesday. Port operations in Big Island, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Honolulu and Kahoolawe resumed on Thursday after being suspended for a day. The storm had minimal impacts on port operations in the area, a source says.
VLSFO and LSMGO demand has been strong in Panama’s Balboa port this week. Product availability is normal with several suppliers able to supply both fuel grades with a lead time of 4-5 days. Demand for HSFO has been relatively muted in Balboa and Cristobal, and prompt supply is readily available in both ports.
VLSFO and LSMGO stems are available for prompt dates in Jamaica’s Kingston. A supplier can deliver VLSFO and LSMGO stems with a lead time of 3-4 days.
Bunker operations have been running smoothly in Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage. However, strong winds of up to 35 knots are forecast between Friday and Sunday, which could disrupt bunkering at the anchorage.
VLSFO availability is said to be super tight in Zona Comun, with lead times of more than seven days recommended. The earliest delivery dates with a supplier in Zona Comun stretch up to the second week of August.
Demand has improved in the Brazilian ports of Santos, Rio Grande and Rio de Janeiro this week. Several suppliers can offer VLSFO and LSMGO stems in these ports within 5-6 days of lead time.
Two suppliers can deliver prompt stems in Rio Grande, but these deliveries are subject to enquiry, a source says.
Source: Engine