North America

Bunker fuel availability remains steady in Houston, with market demand largely unchanged from last week. Both HSFO and VLSFO can be delivered within 6-7 days.

LSMGO availability is better at the port this week, and suppliers can make deliveries in 4-5 days.

While rough weather conditions had earlier disrupted operations at the port, the weather is expected to improve through the weekend.

“There was some backlog in Houston due to the high winds, but we’re looking okay through the weekend at least,” a bunker trader told ENGINE.

In New Orleans, Louisiana (NOLA), all three fuel grades can be delivered within a recommended lead time of 6–7 days. Demand has been stable.

The shortest time HSFO and VLSFO can be delivered in NOLA is under five days.

The controlling draft for deep draft vessels in NOLA is 50 feet. Currently, four dredges are working in Southwest Pass, and two dredges are working in the crossings above New Orleans.

In Bolivar Roads, VLSFO and LSMGO can be delivered in lead times of 7-8 days.

Availability is good in the nearby bunkering spot Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), where at least 4 suppliers can deliver HSFO and LSMGO with lead times of 3-4 days.

The shortest time a supplier can deliver these two grades in GOLA and Corpus Christi is 1-2 days.

VLSFO availability is decent at the anchorage and requires lead times of 5-6 days.

GOLA is one of the most viable bunkering options in the region, especially for vessels with larger loads.

“There are certain draft restrictions in ports like Point Comfort, Lake Charles or Houston let’s say, which limits how much cargo a vessel can lift. So, for bigger vessels with more load, GOLA is a better option since it doesn’t have those issues,” a vessel operator said.

“Additionally, some terminals, for example, the LBC terminal in Houston, don’t allow bunkers to be taken while alongside their dock. GOLA again doesn’t have those restrictions, making it a more flexible choice,” the operator added.

Bunker fuel availability is good in New York, but HSFO is expected to tighten, a source said.

VLSFO and LSMGO are available for prompt deliveries with lead times of 4–5 days.

HSFO requires at least 5 days, since fewer suppliers are delivering the grade, the source added.

Winds in New York are expected to shift from east to northeast at 15–20 knots on Thursday night, with waves of 2–3 feet. This could cause some bunkering delays.

Fuel demand in Los Angeles has eased since last week. The number of scheduled vessels is expected to drop by 7, down from 27 at the moment to 20 in the upcoming week between 3-9 August, port officials said.

Fuel availability conditions are normal. All three fuel grades can be delivered, with recommended lead times of just under a week or within 7-8 days.

California is currently under Tsunami Watch.

According to harbor pilots and local port terminals, there is no immediate threat expected and there are no plans to move vessels from their current positions, whether they are berthed, at anchor, or elsewhere, a ship agent notified.

Latin America and the Caribbean

In Panama HSFO availability is tight and requires at least 7 days to be delivered. Few suppliers in Balboa can supply HSFO at the moment but are reporting busy port conditions and taking limited bookings.

VLSFO and LSMGO can be delivered with lead times of 6-7 days.

VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available in Cartagena, Santa Marta, and Barranquilla in Colombia, with prompt deliveries possible within 3–4 days.

In Bahamas, Freeport HSFO and LSMGO can be supplied in 5-6 days. The shortest time a supplier can provide both these grades is between 2-3 days.

In Brazil, bunker fuel availability is good, and demand is reported to be steady.

In key hubs of Rio Grande and Rio de Janeiro, the recommended lead time is around 5-6 days.

“Santos looks congested over the next 5–7 days, but overall, it’s been okay. Estimated delivery lead times would be around 7–8 days,” a bunker trader said.

In Argentina’s Zona Comun, both VLSFO and LSMGO are available for bunkering. A brief delay is expected early tomorrow due to high wind gusts, but operations are likely to resume shortly after.

Market conditions are normal, and prices are holding stable this week.

“Deliveries are normal, and most suppliers are usually asking for 5-7 days leas time for deliveries, as usual,” a local supplier informed.
Source: ENGINE, https://engine.online/news