Americas Fuel Availability Outlook

North America

Securing prompt supply of VLSFO and LSMGO in Houston is possible. Some suppliers are able to deliver the stems within six days of lead time. However, the Houston Ship Channel is expected to be closed due to thick fog and reduced visibility on Saturday, which can hold back port calls and have a knock-on impact on bunker delivery schedules.

Prompt LSMGO stems are available in Bolivar Roads. Some suppliers can deliver stems with a lead time of four days, which is much shorter than the 11-12 days advised last week.

Bunker operations have been suspended in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) due to strong wind gusts of up to 37 knots. Operations are expected to resume with calmer weather from Saturday onwards.

Securing prompt HSFO and LSMGO stems has been easier at the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA). Some suppliers can deliver the stems immediately.

Demand has picked up in the West Coast port of Long Beach in the past week, and prompt availability can be limited. One supplier is only able to deliver VLSFO stems after 8 April. In the adjacent Los Angeles, meanwhile, demand has been muted for all grades.

Similarly, demand has been low in Vancouver further up the North American west coast. And prompt availability is tight. A supplier can only offer LSMGO stems with delivery after 16 April.

LSMGO availability is normal for prompt dates in the East Coast port of New York. There has been more demand for delivery dates further out and most suppliers are able to accommodate these stems.

Caribbean and Latin America

Prompt supply of VLSFO and LSMGO in Panama’s Balboa is better now. One supplier can deliver VLSFO stems with a lead time of 6-8 days, down from last week’s 13 days. Another supplier will need around seven days of lead time to deliver VLSFO and LSMGO stems in the port.

Similarly, some suppliers are able to offer LSMGO and VLSFO stems in Cristobal with within seven days.

Prompt availability of VLSFO and LSMGO remains normal off Trinidad. However, bunker deliveries are expected to be disrupted by strong wind gusts off Trinidad until Monday.

LSMGO can be delivered semi-promptly in Jamaica’s Kingston. One supplier can deliver VLSFO stems with six days of lead time.

Prompt availability of VLSFO remains tight in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro. A supplier still requires at least 13 days of lead time.

Demand for VLSFO and LSMGO has been high in Zona Comun recently compared to other Americas ports. Zona Comun’s unusually low prices relative to other regional ports could have spurred some extra demand. Most suppliers are now only able to deliver stems with a lead time of 7-8 days at the anchorage.

High winds of up to 35 knots are forecast at Zona Comun until Saturday, which can trigger a bunker suspension or delays.
Source: Engine Technologies, https://engine.online/news-single?postId=18553