North America
Houston’s demand for bunker fuel has been good this week. Availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO has gotten tighter, and some suppliers can only deliver them with a lead time of seven days. Prompt HSFO supply is also tight and lead times of 8-9 days are recommended for the grade.
Prompt supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is typical in Bolivar Roads. Multiple suppliers can deliver both fuel grades with 2–5-day lead times.
Bunkering was suspended in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) and off Corpus Christi on the US Gulf Coast on Wednesday due to strong gale-force wind gusts of up to 46 knots in the region. Calmer weather is forecast from Sunday evening, which could allow bunkering to resume.
Securing prompt stems in GOLA is extremely difficult amid the ongoing weather disruptions.
Securing prompt VLSFO and LSMGO stems is possible at the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA). Several suppliers are able to offer both fuel grades with a lead time of 3-5 days. Overall bunker demand has slowed down this week at the anchorage.
Demand has been low for all grades in the West Coast ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, as it has been for the past two weeks. Despite low demand, all grades remain extremely tight for prompt delivery dates in the West Coast ports.
Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO has been good in the East Coast port of New York. Both grades can be secured within 3-4 days of lead time, as demand has slowed down in the port this week.
Caribbean and Latin America
Demand for all fuel grades has been low in Panama’s ports of Balboa and Cristobal in the past week amid the ongoing drought-triggered restrictions. Availability has been very good for VLSFO and LSMGO, and most suppliers are able to offer stems within 3-4 days in Balboa. HSFO can be secured with a lead time of about seven days.
VLSFO and LSMGO delivery is possible for prompt dates off Trinidad, but these offers are generally quoted on a subject to enquiry basis, a source says.
Bunker deliveries are suspended in the Bahamas’ Freeport as well due to strong wind gusts of up to 43 knots. The weather is expected to remain rough throughout the week.
Bunker operations have been suspended in Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage since Monday due to strong wind gusts. Rough weather conditions are forecast until Friday, which could keep bunkering suspended there.
Availability of both VLSFO and LSMGO has been tight in Zona Comun this week.
Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO availability is good in most Brazilian ports.
Source: Engine, https://engine.online/news/availability/americas-fuel-availability-outlook-14-december-2023-554c