North America
Bunker fuel demand has remained steady in Houston this week. HSFO availability is firm, and prompt delivery is possible within lead times of 4–5 days.
Both VLSFO and LSMGO are available within the recommended lead times of 5–7 days.
The shortest time in which these two fuel grades can be delivered by one supplier is under four days.
In New Orleans, Louisiana (NOLA), the three fuel grades can be delivered within a lead time of 6–7 days. Demand has been stable, and no major supply constraints have been reported, a local bunker trader informed.
The shortest time HSFO and VLSFO can be delivered in NOLA is under five days.
The hurricane season is underway at the US Gulf Coast, which will run through the end of November. As a result, worsening weather is affecting offshore deliveries, particularly at Bolivar Roads and offshore Galveston.
A weak tropical disturbance is drifting along the northern Gulf Coast, bringing widespread showers and thunderstorms, which are likely to persist through Saturday.
On Wednesday, Galveston LNG Bunker Port (GLBP) signed a Letter of Intent with climate tech company Loa Carbon to produce e-LNG for bunkering on the US Gulf Coast, expanding its offerings beyond conventional LNG at its upcoming Texas City facility.
HSFO availability has improved in New York after some suppliers received fresh resupply earlier this week. However, spot availability remains limited, a source said.
Recommended lead times for all three fuel grades are 4–5 days.
Southwest winds are forecast to rise to 10–15 knots, with gusts reaching up to 20 knots by late afternoon.
While there is currently no backlog or congestion, vessels may face potential delays in bunkering schedules.
The twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are seeing a recovery in bunker demand this week.
All three fuel grades are available for prompt delivery, with suppliers recommending lead times of around seven days to just over a week.
“Perhaps folks want to frontload ahead of the 1 August deadline—bookings have been healthy,” a source said.
According to the Port of Los Angeles, import volumes are projected to rise from 115,427 TEUs in the week of 20–26 July to 129,824 TEUs in the week of 27 July–2 August, marking a 12.47% week-on-week increase.
The number of scheduled vessels is also expected to rise from 23 to 25.
Barge operations at the Port of Montreal are restricted to daylight hours, and deliveries may be delayed due to limited bunker barge availability.
High wind gusts are also forecast through Wednesday next week, potentially causing further disruptions.
Latin America and the Caribbean
In Balboa and Cristobal, HSFO and LSMGO can be delivered in 6–7 days. HSFO is tight in Balboa this week, with some suppliers able to deliver while others have no stock.
VLSFO is readily available at both ports, and the shortest time it can be delivered by one supplier is within 1–2 days.
“Availability is good for VLSFO right now. We can deliver within a day or overnight,” a supplier told ENGINE.
Prices are almost at par, though Cristobal holds a small premium over Balboa.
“Indications are about $474/mt for HSFO and $739/mt for LSMGO in Balboa, and $498/mt for HSFO and $743/mt for LSMGO in Cristobal,” a bunker trader said.
Bunker fuel availability is good in Colombia at the ports of Cartagena, Santa Marta, and Barranquilla, with both grades typically deliverable within 3-4 days of lead time.
HSFO is also available, but demand and supply both are muted as compared to the other two grades, a local supplier informed.
In Cartagena, HSFO is available at a discount compared to other Colombian ports such as Santa Marta, Barranquilla, and Buenaventura.
In Freeport, Bahamas, VLSFO and LSMGO lead times have shortened to 5-6 days, down from 8–9 days last week.
Bunker demand is moderate in Brazil. VLSFO and LSMGO are available in Rio Grande and Rio de Janeiro with lead times of 7-8 days.
In Sepetiba, located 80 km from Rio de Janeiro, a supplier can deliver VLSFO with a lead time of 9–10 days.
In Santos, congestion persists and availability is tight, with suppliers recommending over seven days to make delivery.
In Argentina, bunker deliveries are currently underway in Zona Comun, but possible disruptions are expected from Thursday afternoon due to high wind gusts.
“Deliveries may be suspended when wind speeds exceed 20 knots and prolonged delays are particularly likely to begin from 26 July onward,” a source said.
Both VLSFO and LSMGO can be delivered via barge, and availability is normal with lead times of 5-6 days.
Source: ENGINE