ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook
North America Bunker demand is strong at the US Gulf port of Houston, where prompt availability of all three conventional grades is tight this week. Recommended lead times for HSFO and VLSFO run from more than five days to a week. LSMGO can be secured sooner, within 4-7 days, a trader tells ENGINE. Availability is ...
North American bunkering markets are experiencing tight availability for conventional bunker fuels, with lead times extending beyond a week in several key ports. The Houston port in the US Gulf Coast is particularly affected, with prompt availability of heavy, light and medium distillate fuels (HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO) requiring lead times of over five to seven days. Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) faces similar constraints, with suppliers requesting more than five days for all grades.
New York's East Coast is also grappling with bunker fuel demand, which is expected to remain high through the fourth quarter. While VLSFO and LSMGO are reasonably available with lead times of 2-3 days, HSFO remains tight, necessitating at least six days for delivery. Strong winds, forecast to reach 23 knots on Friday, could disrupt port operations, though they are expected to lessen by Saturday.
The US National Hurricane Center reports no tropical cyclones in the Atlantic, Caribbean or Gulf of Mexico at the moment, though marine warnings are still active. Tropical Storm Vance, off Mexico's Pacific coast, poses no major threat to US ports, as it is heading towards the Mexican coast well south of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
On the West Coast, Los Angeles and Long Beach ports are also tight for all conventional bunker grades, with lead times ranging from 6-8 days. In contrast, Vancouver in Canada is facing tightening availability of HSFO, with lead times extending to 7-9 days. LSMGO and VLSFO availability remains normal at this Canadian port, with lead times of 4-6 days.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, Panama's Balboa and Cristobal ports are tight for VLSFO and LSMGO, requiring more than seven days for delivery. HSFO is particularly tight at these ports, with lead times typically around 8-10 days.
In the Caribbean, high winds are forecast to affect deliveries in the Bahamas' Freeport, with wind gusts reaching 25 knots on Saturday. Cruise ships are given priority, which could further delay bunker deliveries.
In Colombia, Cartagena, Santa Marta and Barranquilla are experiencing tight availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, with lead times of 3-4 days. HSFO availability is also tight, requiring prior consultation with suppliers. Peru's Callao port has limited HSFO availability, which can be arranged only after consultation with suppliers.
Brazil’s Santos port is supplying all three grades, with VLSFO and LSMGO availability normal and lead times ranging from 5-8 days. In Rio de Janeiro, HSFO is tight, while VLSFO and LSMGO are in normal supply with 4-7 day lead times.
In Argentina, Zona Comun anchorage is tight for VLSFO and LSMGO, requiring lead times of over a week. High winds are forecast to disrupt deliveries, with gusts reaching 21 knots on Sunday.
Written by urgent.news from Hellenic Shipping News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
