Americas Fuel Availability Outlook 19 Feb

Fog disrupts US Gulf bunkering

Cold conditions ease in New York

Zona Comun lead times extend

IMAGE: Container terminal at the port of Santos, Brazil. Getty Images.

North America

In Houston, bunker demand has held firm as seasonal fog continues to cause intermittent closures in the Houston Ship Channel.

Prolonged disruptions could build congestion around loading terminals. Most impacts have been concentrated overnight and in the early morning hours.

VLSFO and HSFO are tight for prompt delivery and require at least 7–10 days of lead time. LSMGO availability is comparatively better, with most suppliers able to deliver within 5–7 days.

Bolivar Roads and offshore deliveries to Port Arthur, Beaumont, Freeport and Lake Charles have been more heavily impacted as barge transits face limits and delays, a source has told ENGINE.

The Sabine–Neches Waterway has been closed due to poor visibility. Vessel boardings were suspended at 01:30 local time on 19 February and will resume once conditions improve, a ship agency has said.

The Sabine Pilots are monitoring the situation and will issue updates as conditions change. The US Gulf fog season typically runs through March.

In the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), disruptions are expected on 22–23 February due to high wind gusts and elevated sea conditions. Bunkering operations are most likely to be suspended on Sunday, a trader tells ENGINE.

In New York, extremely cold weather and ice have disrupted operations in recent weeks. Warmer temperatures arrived this week and terminal delays have started to clear, a source has said.

HSFO is tight and requires 7–9 days to secure supply, a trader has said. VLSFO requires 5–6 days of lead time, while LSMGO has good availability and can be delivered within 2–3 days.

On the US West Coast, Los Angeles and Long Beach have normal availability, with most suppliers able to deliver all three conventional grades within 6–7 days.

Container traffic is expected to edge higher next week, with 21 vessel arrivals forecast, up from 20 this week, according to the ports’ vessel tracker Signal.

In Vancouver, HSFO can be delivered within 4–5 days. VLSFO and LSMGO are available with lead times of 4–8 days this week, a source has said.

Latin America and the Caribbean

In Panama, bunker demand has softened this week. However, the year has started on a stronger footing, with January sales surpassing those recorded in December 2025, according to preliminary data from the Panama Maritime Authority.

Availability remains steady in Balboa and Cristobal, with lead times for all three conventional grades at 3–5 days.

In Colombia, VLSFO requires 2 days of lead time and LSMGO, 3 days, a trader has told ENGINE. In ports where HSFO is available, including Santa Marta and Barranquilla, earliest delivery dates are around 3 days.

In Brazil, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is steady in Santos, with lead times of 5–8 days.

In Rio de Janeiro, OPL Sepetiba, Rio Grande, Belém, Salvador and Vila do Conde, availability is steady for both grades, requiring 4–5 days this week.

Paranaguá has normal VLSFO availability with lead times of 4–5 days, while LSMGO is supplied only under prior consultation, a trader has told ENGINE.

In Itaqui, the earliest delivery date for VLSFO is 1–2 days. LSMGO is currently unavailable at the port.

In Argentina’s Zona Comun, disruptions are expected between 19–23 February due to high wind gusts. Deliveries will be suspended if winds exceed 20 knots.

Lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO at the anchorage are currently 7–10 days, with deliveries carried out by barge.

By Gautamee Hazarika

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