ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

North American bunkers are in high demand, particularly at the Houston port in the US Gulf. Supply of the three conventional fuel grades - HSFO, LSMGO and VLSFO - is tight, with notice periods ranging from 5-8 days. At Galveston Offshore Lightering Area, conditions are expected to be manageable with wind gusts up to 18 knots and waves below 1m between 24-27 September.

Deliveries are first-come, first-served. LSMGO can be delivered in 3 days by at least two suppliers, while HSFO and VLSFO require a minimum of 5 days. Low sea fog threat persists across US Gulf Coast ports, with fog rising to moderate in Corpus Christi, Freeport, Galveston, Port Arthur, Marsh Island, Port Fourchon, New Orleans, Venice, Pascagoula and Mobile Bay on 30 September.

Venice and Mobile Bay may face moderate fog from 29 September, while Brownsville faces moderate threat on 24-25 September. Lake Charles faces high fog threat early on 30 September. US East Coast sees increased bunker demand at New York port, with normal availability of all three conventional grades. LSMGO requires 3-6 days, while VLSFO and HSFO need 5-7 days.

High wind gusts could disrupt operations at New York between 24-27 September, peaking at 30 knots on 26 September. US West Coast sees normal availability at Los Angeles and Long Beach ports with lead times of 5-7 days. Canada’s Vancouver has rising bunker demand, with VLSFO and LSMGO needing 4-7 days, and HSFO requiring 5-6 days.

Ongoing hurricane season brings advisories for Tropical Storm Fay in the Atlantic, Odalys and Polo in the Eastern Pacific, and Nolo in the Central Pacific. Latin America's bunkers are moderate in Panama, with VLSFO drawing more interest this week. Availability is good, with VLSFO and LSMGO deliverable within 3-4 days and HSFO requiring 5-7 days.

Bahamas prioritizes cruise ships for bunker deliveries at Freeport, with gusts up to 16 knots and light rain forecast on 25 September. St. Eustatius and Trinidad also have moderate winds and light rain, but no major disruption expected. Colombia's Cartagena, Santa Marta and Barranquilla ports have good bunker availability with VLSFO and LSMGO delivering within 3-4 days.

HSFO is limited, but can sometimes be booked at larger ports with 4-day earliest deliveries. Brazil's Santos port has okay VLSFO availability with lead times of 4-7 days, while LSMGO is unavailable. Rio de Janeiro, Paranagua and Rio Grande have very tight bunker fuel supply, with over-week lead times for both VLSFO and LSMGO due to a tropical storm knocking out power at the terminal.

Belem and Vila do Conde have okay availability with 4-7 day lead times. Zona Comun operations are suspended due to high winds, with prolonged delays expected.