North America
Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO grades in Houston has been good so far this week. Several suppliers are able to deliver the grades with 2-3 days of lead time, down from last week’s 4-5 days. But demand in Houston has been slower so far this week, than the earlier week.
HSFO stems remain tight in Houston. One supplier is able to deliver the fuel grade with a lead time of 6-7 days.
Demand has been significantly low in Bolivar Roads and Beaumont last week. Suppliers are able to supply LSMGO and VLSFO stems in the ports for prompt delivery dates, a source says.
In Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), bunkering has been running smoothly in recent weeks amid calmer weather conditions. Demand has also improved and most suppliers are able to supply LSMGO and VLSFO grades with a lead time of 3-5 days.
However, securing HSFO stems for both prompt delivery dates and dates further out can be tough in GOLA, primarily due to only one supplier offering the grade.
Some suppliers are offering VLSFO and LSMGO stems for prompt dates at the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA). One supplier can deliver both grades with 6-7 days of lead time.
Demand for all fuel grades has been slightly improved in the West Coast ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Some suppliers are able to deliver LSMGO and VLSFO stems for very prompt dates (0-3 days), which has been rare in the past.
Currently there are just two suppliers offering HSFO in Los Angeles and Long Beach. Product availability is normal with both suppliers, and HSFO can be secured for prompt dates.
Availability is normal across all grades in New York. Recommended lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO are about 2-3 days.
Caribbean and Latin America
Prompt availability of all grades is possible in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal. Some suppliers can deliver VLSFO and LSMGO stems in Balboa at short notice. Others require a lead time of at least 2-5 days, down from last week’s of 5-6 days.
HSFO stems can also be secured in Panamanian ports with a recommended lead time of 5-7 days.
Prompt availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal in Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage. One supplier can deliver stems within three days. While some require a lead time of 5-6 days. However, strong wind gusts are forecast to hit the anchorage from Friday and could disrupt bunkering until Sunday.
There has been an uptick in LSMGO demand in the Brazilian ports of Santos, Rio Grande and Paranagua compared to Zona Comun. LSMGO prices in the Brazilian ports have been at constant discounts to Zona Comun.
Suppliers are generally able to offer LSMGO and VLSFO stems in the Brazilian ports for prompt dates.
Prompt availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is normal off Trinidad. One supplier can deliver HSFO stems in the region with a lead time of 4-7 days.
Source: Hellenic Shipping News
