Americas Fuel Availability Outlook 21 May

Bunker demand rises in Los Angeles

Rio Grande fuel availability improves

High winds disrupt deliveries off Trinidad

IMAGE: Container terminal operations at the Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Getty Images

North America

In the US Gulf Coast region,the bunker market remains active, with strong demand in Houston.

Prompt fuel availability across all three conventional grades is currently tight, with lead times for HSFO and LSMGO between 6-8 days. VLSFO has required at least five days of lead time this week, a trader said.

The US Gulf remains in its seasonal fog period, although sea fog and visibility threats across major Gulf Coast ports are expected to stay largely within low-to-moderate levels through 27 May.

Ports including Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Freeport, Galveston and Port Arthur are forecast to face mostly moderate visibility threats in the coming days, while Port Fourchon, Pascagoula and Mobile are forecast with low-to-moderate fog.

Tampa is expected to maintain mostly low fog threat levels. Widespread severe fog disruptions are not anticipated, though intermittent visibility issues could still affect vessel movements and bunker deliveries at some ports.

Bunker demand in New York is steady this week, although fuel prices are seeing some upward pressure from fluctuating fuel availability across the US East Coast.

LSMGO supply is expected to tighten further, with current lead times at 3–4 days. Prompt availability for HSFO and VLSFO remains constrained, with recommended lead times extending to 7–10 days, according to a source.

On the US West Coast, bunker demand in Los Angeles and Long Beach has increased modestly over the past week. Advised lead times for all three fuel grades are at 7–9 days.

Weather conditions remain favourable in Los Angeles and are expected to support smooth bunker operations.

Latin America and the Caribbean

In Panama, bunker demand has remained strong, and bunker prices continue to be elevated in Balboa and Cristobal, according to a trader.

Fuel availability at both the ports is generally normal, with most suppliers able to deliver VLSFO and LSMGO within 3–5 days, while HSFO lead times stand at 4–6 days.

Bunker deliveries off Trinidad are facing weather-related suspensions.

"High seas have been impacting that area, but they are able to do deliveries if the receiving vessel is able to shield the supply vessel from the waves," a trader tells ENGINE.

The area may face disruptions between 21–22 May due to high wind gusts and rough sea conditions, with weather-related suspensions are currently affecting operations.

In Colombia, bunker demand has held steady, with good VLSFO and LSMGO availability reported across Cartagena, Barranquilla and Santa Marta. Lead times for both grades are currently around 4–5 days, a source said.

In Brazil, congestion persists at the port of Santos, although VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains normal with lead times of 5–8 days recommended.

Supply conditions across Rio de Janeiro, Paranagua, Belem and Vila do Conde are also stable, with lead times holding at 4–5 days.

Availability in Rio Grande has improved, with VLSFO and LSMGO supply returning to normal and suppliers now able to complete deliveries in under a week, according to a source.

In Argentina’s Zona Comun, bunker supply operations are running smoothly, with VLSFO and LSMGO lead times at 5–6 days, a local source told ENGINE.

The source added that a record agricultural harvest is drawing increased vessel traffic into the region, which is expected to support stronger bunker demand in the coming weeks.

By Gautamee Hazarika

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