North America

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO availability is still tight in the Houston area, while most suppliers are typically able to accommodate deliveries with lead times beyond 6-7 days.

Houston suppliers that have available delivery slots in their near-term calendars, have simultaneously cautioned bunker buyers about possible delays in the coming days. Fog and reduced visibility has led to intermittent closures of the Houston Ship Channel in the past week. The channel is a key waterway for vessels coming in and out of ports in the Houston area, including Galveston, Baytown and Texas City.

LSMGO and VLSFO stems can be delivered in Beaumont, further east on the US Gulf Coast, with a lead time of 6-10 days.

Rough weather conditions continue to disrupt deliveries in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) and bunker operations are expected to be suspended until Sunday due to gale-force wind gusts of up to 42 knots.

Barges are trying to deliver stems in GOLA when the weather permits. However, a supplier is able to offer VLSFO and LSMGO stems with a three-day lead time in the Port of Galveston, which is sheltered from bad weather.

Some suppliers are offering VLSFO and LSMGO stems for prompt dates at the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA). One supplier can deliver stems with 4-5 days of lead time.

One supplier will need a lead time of six days to deliver LSMGO stems in Port Fourchon.

Demand has been low for all grades in New York, and suppliers are mostly able to accommodate deliveries for prompt dates.

Caribbean and Latin America

Securing VLSFO and LSMGO for prompt dates can be hard in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal. Two suppliers require at least 10 days of lead time to deliver VLSFO and LSMGO stems. Another supplier can deliver VLSFO stems in Cristobal with a nine-day lead time.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal off Trinidad. One supplier can offer stems for prompt dates with a lead time of five days.

LSMGO stems are available for prompt dates in Jamaica’s Kingston. A supplier can deliver VLSFO and LSMGO stems with a lead time of 5-7 days. Another supplier will need 5-8 days to deliver.

Prompt availability of VLSFO is tight in Argentina’s Zona Comun. One supplier requires a lead time of 10-11 days to deliver VLSFO at the anchorage. Another supplier can deliver VLSFO stems with a lead time of 8-10 days.

High winds are forecast at Zona Comun from this evening and can trigger a suspension or delays through the weekend.
Source: ENGINE, By Debarati Bhattacharjee, https://engine.online/