Americas Fuel Availability Outlook

North America

Florida ports are facing disruptions as Hurricane Helene approaches, prompting the US Coast Guard to shut down operations at Tampa and Jacksonville. The storm, which may reach Category 4, is expected to bring a catastrophic storm surge near Florida’s Big Bend coast.

Late Tuesday, the Coast Guard imposed “port condition ZULU” on Tampa Bay and Jacksonville, halting all vessel traffic. Other closed ports include Port Manatee, Sarasota, and St. Petersburg. In the Panhandle, Panama City and Port St. Joe are also closed.

Helene is expected to make landfall on Thursday evening, with the National Hurricane Center warning that storm surge, wind, and heavy rainfall will affect areas well beyond the storm’s center, especially on the east side.

The ports of Galveston, New Orleans, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale were open on Thursday morning and are not expected to shut down due to the storm.

Bunker demand in Houston and other ports along the US Gulf Coast has picked up slightly due to the bunkering disruption in Florida. However, demand is expected to slow down again by the end of this week, a source says.

Availability of all fuel grades has been good for prompt dates. Most suppliers can offer VLSFO and LSMGO stems with a lead time of five days in Houston.

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO supply is also available in Bolivar Roads and Beaumont. However, bunker deliveries in both locations are subject to weather conditions and the availability of anchorage space, a source says.

Bunkering was proceeding normally in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) on Thursday amid pleasant weather conditions. The weather is forecast to remain calm through the weekend and most of next week. Despite favourable weather conditions, bunker demand in GOLA has been very low this week.

All grades are tight for prompt delivery dates in the West Coast ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Most suppliers require more than seven days of lead time to deliver VLSFO and LSMGO stems in both ports.

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries are available in the East Coast port of New York.

Caribbean and Latin America

Bunker fuel demand has improved across Panamanian ports following a period of low demand for both VLSFO and LSMGO grades last week. Availability of all fuel grades is good in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal. Most suppliers can deliver stems in both locations, with recommended lead times of 4-6 days.

In Jamaica’s Kingston, securing LSMGO and VLSFO stems for prompt dates is possible, with one supplier able to supply both grades with a lead time of 4-5 days.

Bunkering has been suspended in Bahamas’ Freeport since Wednesday due to strong wind gusts of up to 43 knots. The weather is expected to remain rough until Friday, which could cause more delays.

Bunkering has also been suspended in Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage since Tuesday, as strong wind gusts have made barge deliveries difficult in that area. Calmer weather is forecast from Friday evening onwards, which could allow bunker operations to resume at the anchorage.
Source: Engine