Some ports in Florida were briefly shut by Tropical Storm Debby
Bunker One starts bunkering service at Brazil’s Sepetiba
HSFO is tight in New York
North America
Tropical Storm Debby made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in Florida’s Big Bend region on Monday, leading to the closure of Port Tampa Bay, Jacksonville Port, and the Port of Savannah in Georgia to all vessel traffic. Port Tampa Bay and Jacksonville reopened on Tuesday, while the Port of Savannah resumed operations on Wednesday morning after the storm passed the area.
Bunker demand has been normal in Houston this week. The availability of all fuel grades has been better than the previous week for prompt supply in Houston. VLSFO and LSMGO grades are generally in good supply for dates further out, with most suppliers in the Houston area. However, a few suppliers can deliver stems with short lead times of 3-5 days. HSFO needs a longer lead time of more than seven days.
Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO has also been good for prompt dates in Bolivar Roads. Deliveries there are still subject to weather conditions and anchorage schedules, a source says.
Bunker demand has been good at the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA) this week, a source says.
Bunkering was proceeding normally in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) on Thursday amid good weather conditions. The weather is forecast to remain calm over the weekend and most of next week. Overall, demand has been very low this week at GOLA.
The ports of Los Angeles and San Francisco on the West Coast have experienced a notable surge in demand this week. Securing stems for very prompt dates is difficult in both ports. Lead times of at least 6-8 days are recommended in both ports, a source says.
HSFO availability has tightened in New York. Most suppliers are unable to offer HSFO for both prompt dates and dates further out. Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO are available in New York. Storm-force wind gusts of up to 49 knots are forecast to hit New York on Friday and could disrupt bunkering there.
Similarly, bunker deliveries are expected to be suspended in Canada’s Montreal from Friday onwards due to gale-force wind gusts of up to 38 knots.
Caribbean and Latin America
The Panama Canal Authority has raised the maximum authorised draft limit for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks to 49 feet, up from the previous limit of 48 feet. Starting in September, the Panama Canal will also increase the number of daily transit slots from 34 to 36, further improving its capacity to handle maritime traffic.
Bunker fuel demand has been normal 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 3-4 days.
Bunker operations have been suspended in Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage since Wednesday due to rough weather conditions, a source says. The weather is forecast to remain rough until Sunday, which could cause prolonged delays and disruptions, a source says.
The earliest delivery date for VLSFO and LSMGO with one supplier is around 14 August, but this could be pushed further due to the ongoing weather disruptions at the anchorage.
Bunker One is expanding its Brazilian operations with the introduction of a new ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering service at the Sepetiba outer port limit (OPL), located near Rio de Janeiro. It will offer VLSFO and LSMGO from 12 August onward.
Source: Engine, By Debarati Bhattacharjee, https://engine.online/news/availability/americas-fuel-availability-outlook-8-aug-2024-6031