ENGINE: Americas Fuel Availability Outlook

North America's bunker demand in Houston has been strong over the past week, with prompt availability tight across all conventional grades. HSFO and VLSFO require 5-7 day lead times, while LSMGO can be delivered within 4-5 days. At Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), operations are conducted on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to weather conditions. Recommended lead times for all three grades at GOLA stand at 5-8 days for this week.

Mobile Bay has visibility as low as 1 nautical mile during high-risk periods almost daily through September 9. Sea fog risk along the US Gulf Coast is mostly low, building to moderate risk at several ports. No backlog or bunker barge readiness issues have been reported in New York, where bunker demand has been good. HSFO and VLSFO have tight prompt supply with 6-8 day lead times, while LSMGO is available within 3-5 days. No weather issues are reported in the port.

The Atlantic hurricane season is ongoing, with three active hurricanes in the Eastern and Central Pacific. The National Hurricane Center has issued advisories on all three. Marine warnings are also in effect in the Eastern Pacific region. Western US fuel availability has improved, with VLSFO and LSMGO now deliverable within one week at ports like Los Angeles and Long Beach, compared to 10 days last week. HSFO lead times remain at 7 days.

At Vancouver, VLSFO has been tight over the past week, with recommended lead times over 5 days. HSFO and LSMGO have good availability, with lead times of 5-7 days. In Latin America and the Caribbean, bunker availability is good for all three fuels at Panama's Balboa and Cristobal ports, with demand picking up. In Brazil, HSFO is unavailable, while VLSFO and LSMGO have varying lead times across ports.

Santos is congested, but LSMGO and VLSFO availability is normal for normal lead times. Rio de Janeiro has tight LSMGO and VLSFO availability, with prior consultation required. Rio Grande has no LSMGO availability, while VLSFO is available within a week. Paranaguá, Belém, and Vila do Conde have decent VLSFO and LSMGO availability, with 4-7 day lead times.

Punta Colorada in Argentina is set for increased activity with two floating LNG (FLNG) units coming onstream by year-end. Despite choppy conditions, bunkering operations continue in Argentina's Zona Comun. Strong winds are expected to persist, potentially interrupting bunkering if winds exceed 20 knots. Supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO are normal in Argentina, with 5-7 day lead times.