ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

North American bunker fuel demand in Houston remains healthy, with all three conventional grades readily available within four to eight days. A bunker trader stated that demand is steady and the market is normal, citing few tight spots. However, terminal operators in Houston should be aware of potential fog-related closures as winter approaches.

In Galveston Offshore Lightering Area, high-speed fuel (HSFO), light ship fuel (LSMGO), and very low sulfur fuel (VLSFO) have varying delivery times, with the shortest being one to two days for LSMGO. No tropical cyclones are currently present in the Atlantic, and the National Hurricane Center does not anticipate any until next week.

In New York, distillates, including marine gas oil (MGO) and LSMGO, are becoming scarcer, raising concerns about potential shortages into the fourth quarter and early next year. Recommended lead times for VLSFO, high-speed fuel (HSFO), and LSMGO are five days, seven days, and three to four days, respectively. Rain caused New York Harbor to close over the weekend, but traffic is expected to clear up within a few days.

In Los Angeles, bunkering is operating normally, with reasonable fuel availability and recommended lead times of six to eight days for HSFO and VLSFO, and five to seven days for LSMGO. In Canada's Vancouver, HSFO and VLSFO are available with lead times between four and eight days, while LSMGO can be delivered within the same timeframe.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, the Panama bunker fuel market reports good availability, with all three grades deliverable within three to six days at Balboa and Cristobal. Some tightness is anticipated for HSFO at Colombian ports of Cartagena, Santa Marta, and Barranquilla, with lead times extending over a week for both grades.

Chilean ports have normal VLSFO availability and recommended lead times of three to seven days for HSFO and LSMGO. Brazil's Rio de Janeiro port now offers HSFO, after Petrobras began selling the grade there. VLSFO and LSMGO are tight with lead times over a week at the port, while Santos has good VLSFO and LSMGO availability with lead times between three and seven days.

The port of Paranagua remains congested, with both VLSFO and LSMGO available only under prior consultation, with the earliest delivery date for both grades being October 6th. In Argentina's Zona Comun, availability for HSFO and VLSFO is very tight, with only prior consultation allowed for supply. Weather conditions at the anchorage are rough, with potential suspension of operations if wind gusts exceed 20 knots.