North America
VLSFO and LSMGO grades are available for prompt delivery dates in Houston. The recent moderate to high fog conditions had affected deliveries earlier in the week. However, calmer weather conditions from Tuesday evening, allowed most suppliers to deliver both grades with a lead time of 4-6 days.
There has been an uptick in HSFO demand in Houston. Despite the rise in demand, several suppliers are struggling to offer the grade for delivery dates this month.
Prompt delivery of VLSFO and LSMGO is available in Bolivar Roads. Lead times of 3-5 days are recommended for both grades. Although prompt deliveries are still subject to weather conditions and the availability of anchorage space, a source says.
Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is good in Beaumont and Port Arthur. Both grades can be secured within 3-4 days of lead time, down from last week’s 5-6 days lead time.
Bunker operations resumed in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) on Thursday after being suspended due to strong wind gusts since Tuesday. Suppliers are now working to clear backlogs caused by recent weather disruptions. Securing fuel grades can be still difficult in GOLA, particularly HSFO, due to recent intermittent weather suspensions in the region.
Overall, bunker demand in GOLA has been slow.
Securing prompt VLSFO and LSMGO stems is possible at the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA). Several suppliers can offer both fuel grades with a lead time of 3-5 days. Demand has been very low for all grades there.
All grades remain tight for prompt delivery dates in the West Coast ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. The earliest delivery date for LSMGO with one supplier is as far away as the first week of December, a source says.
LSMGO availability remains tight in the East Coast ports of New York and Philadelphia this week. Meanwhile, VLSFO stems can be secured for prompt dates.
Caribbean and Latin America
Demand for all fuel grades have been good in the Panamanian ports of Balboa and Cristobal in the past week. Availability has been very good for VLSFO and LSMGO, and one supplier can offer both grades immediately in Balboa. HSFO can be secured with a lead time of 4-7 days.
Vessels passing through the Panama Canal continue to face draft limitations due to severe drought conditions. However, the draft limitations have so far not affected bunker vessel loadings at oil terminals.
In Jamaica’s Kingston, there has been more demand for VLSFO and LSMGO this week. Lead times of up to five days are recommended by most suppliers there.
Bunker deliveries remained mostly suspended in the Bahamas’ Freeport in periods this week due to rough weather conditions. Weather conditions are forecast to improve from Saturday onwards, which could allow bunkering to resume.
Bunker operations have been running smoothly in Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage this week. Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal in Zona Comun anchorage. The earliest delivery date with a supplier is about five days.
Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO availability is good in Brazil’s Rio Grande, Santos and Rio de Janeiro. One supplier requires lead times of 1-2 days to deliver stems there.
Source: Engine