North America
Bunker fuel availability in Houston is tight across all grades. High wind gusts and an Arctic Front has caused major delays in barge operations in the port. Suppliers require lead times of at least seven days for prompt deliveries across all grades in Houston.
Rough weather conditions forced the Houston Ship Channel to close earlier this week. Barge traffic resumed on Thursday morning, and the situation will likely improve into the weekend.
The channel, a vital waterway for ports in Houston, Galveston, Baytown and Texas City, often faces closures during the US Gulf Coast's rough winter season, which runs until March.
Currently, most of the US Gulf Coast bunker locations including Houston, Texas City, Galveston, Port Bolivar, Freeport, Lake Charles, Port Arthur, Beaumont, Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) and Corpus Christi Offshore are facing delays in bunker deliveries due to bad weather.
Sailing resumed in Corpus Christi and Texas City on Thursday morning. Pilots in Houston are “slowly starting operations,” a source says. Operations in the Sabine Pass have yet to resume. “They hope to clear as many pending movements as possible before freezing temperatures cause adverse roadway conditions again tonight,” the source adds.
Bunkering operations in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) were facing delays due to rough weather conditions. Operations were expected to fully resume later on Thursday, according to the source.
The New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA) faces fog-related disruptions. Fog conditions in the region depend heavily on wind directions. Southerly winds from the Gulf typically result in fog, while colder, northerly winds keep visibility clear.
On the East Coast, prompt availability for VLSFO and LSMGO is good in New York, but bunkering operations may face disruptions due to high winds. Tugs are kept on standby for urgent requirements.
On the West Coast, Los Angeles and Long Beach have seen improved availability across all fuel grades, with suppliers recommending lead times of less than seven days.
Caribbean and Latin America
The Panamanian ports of Balboa and Cristobal are facing tight availability across most fuel grades. Suppliers require lead times of 8-9 days to secure stems, according to a source.
High wind gusts have delayed bunker barge reloadings and bunker deliveries in Argentina's Zona Comun. Bunker deliveries at the anchorage may face extended delays, according to a source. Prompt VLSFO availability is currently tight at the anchorage, with lead times of seven days advised.
Barge delivery capacity remains capped in Bahía Blanca, reducing supply. The port is a major wheat export hub.
Source: ENGINE, https://engine.online/news