ENGINE: Americas Fuel Availability Outlook

North America continues to face tight availability of conventional fuels in Houston, with suppliers suggesting lead times of 5-7 days for high-sulfur fuel oil (HSFO) and very-low-sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO). Medium-sulfur fuel oil (LSMGO) can be delivered in 4-5 days. The Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) continues to operate on a first-come, first-served basis for bunkers, subject to weather conditions. All three fuel grades are available at the anchorage.

In New York, bunker demand has slightly eased but prompt availability for HSFO and VLSFO is still tight. Suppliers indicate lead times of 6-8 days for these grades, while LSMGO can be delivered in 3-5 days. No backlog or bunker barge readiness issues have been reported.

Bunker demand is strong at US West Coast ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, with most suppliers able to deliver all three fuel grades within 6-7 days. Vancouver, Canada, has good demand and stable availability for HSFO and LSMGO, with VLSFO requiring longer lead times. Latin America and the Caribbean show varying availability, with Panama reporting normal demand and good availability.

Colombia and Brazil have decent to tight availability, with lead times ranging from 3-7 days. In Rio de Janeiro, VLSFO availability is good, while LSMGO requires prior consultation. Petrobras Marine has expanded bunker supply operations to the Port of Suape, launching barge deliveries of VLSFO and LSMGO. Chile and Argentina both show good availability for VLSFO and LSMGO, with varying lead times. High wind gusts are forecast in Chile between 6-9 August, potentially delaying bunker operations.