ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

North America
HSFO is tight for both prompt dates and further out in Houston, but remains at considerable discounts to other ports in the Americas. At least one supplier has tight availability to deliver HSFO in Houston towards the end of the month.
VLSFO and LSMGO grades are more readily available in the Houston area.
VLSFO supply has been very tight on the US West Coast. A local refinery is undergoing a crude distillation unit maintenance that is scheduled to last until early August. This could have taken some fuel streams for VLSFO blending out of the market.

Caribbean and Latin America
LSMGO availability looks tight for dates towards the end of the month in Panama, but there are pockets of available supply spots and prompt delivers are possible to get on certain dates. A supplier can deliver VLSFO and LSMGO with 3-7 days of lead time in Balboa.
HSFO is unavailable with a supplier in Cartagena. Low demand and steep premiums over other Caribbean bunker locations has disincentivised certain suppliers from stocking and offering HSFO in the Colombian port.

The high sulphur grade is available off Curacao and Aruba and in St. Eustatius.
Bunker fuel supplies are running low in Ecuadorian ports following anti-government protests and curbed crude oil output in recent weeks. Less domestic crude has forced refineries including Esmeraldas to reduce runs.

Two bunker suppliers in Guayaquil have sold out of VLSFO. One says it has not confirmed a reloading date yet. One supplier can deliver LSMGO by truck.
VLSFO is also available for prompt deliveries in Brazil’s Santos and Rio Grande. The earliest delivery date in Rio Grande is around four days out, depending on the enquiry.

Argentinian prices for gasoil and other middle distillates have drawn support from a diesel shortage in the country, while VLSFO supply has been boosted by greater domestic refinery production and allowed for more competitive pricing. Prompt bunker availability is good in Zona Comun and its VLSFO price has been at rare discount to Brazil’s Santos this week.

Argentinian state-owned oil company YPF has announced it will import 10 diesel cargoes over the next three months, according to shipping agent Antares.
Strong winds are forecast in Zona Comun on Saturday and Sunday, potentially holding up bunker deliveries.
Source: ENGINE (https://engine.online/)