Americas Fuel Availability Outlook 23 Apr

New York weather stable for bunkering

Strong bunker demand in Panama

VLSFO and LSMGO tight in Rio Grande

IMAGE: The port of Santa Marta, Colombia. Getty Images.

North America

In the US Gulf Coast, the port of Houston is seeing steady bunker demand this week. Prompt supply for HSFO and VLSFO is tight, with recommended lead times of 5–7 days for both grades this week.

LSMGO has better availability and can be delivered in around 4 days, a trader tells ENGINE.

The region is nearing the end of fog season, which has continued to cause some operational disruptions, although conditions have improved since March.

Overall, sea fog and visibility across key Gulf Coast ports this week are expected to remain largely favourable. However, intermittent periods of reduced visibility may still occur at ports such as New Orleans, Port Fourchon and Mobile, potentially causing brief delays, particularly during early morning and late evening hours.

In the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), bunkering operations have resumed after being suspended on Monday. Deliveries are currently being carried out on a first-come, first-served basis and remain subject to weather conditions.

Typical lead times at the anchorage for VLSFO and LSMGO have been around 7–9 days over the past week, a trader said.

At the Port of New Orleans, high wind gusts could temporarily disrupt bunkering operations between 23 and 25 April. Availability is okay at the bunker spot, with suppliers able to deliver VLSFO and LSMGO within 6-7 days.

Further along the US Gulf Coast, the Sabine-Neches Waterway, which connects the Gulf of Mexico to inland ports in southeast Texas, is currently open, although some operational constraints are in place.

An air draft restriction of 135 feet (41.1 metres) has been imposed due to high water levels, a ship agency informed.

Additionally, a scheduled river fest-related channel closure on the Neches River between 1–3 May may cause intermittent disruptions to vessel movements, the agency added.

In New York, lead times for VLSFO and HSFO stand at 5–7 days, while LSMGO is more readily available with shorter lead times of 2–3 days.

However, LSMGO prices remain significantly higher compared to Houston, with a price difference of over $150/mt, according to ENGINE data.

Weather conditions are expected to remain conducive for bunkering through the week.

On the US West Coast, VLSFO and LSMGO supply is okay at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, with most suppliers able to deliver all conventional fuel grades within lead times of around 7–8 days.

In Canada's Vancouver, HSFO can be secured within 5–7 days, while VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries require slightly longer lead times of 6–8 days, a trader said.

Latin America and the Caribbean

In Panama, bunker demand is on the rise across all three conventional fuel grades.

Availability at Balboa and Cristobal remains steady, with most suppliers able to deliver HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO within lead times of 3–6 days.

Bunkering in Balboa is proceeding on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to vessels with confirmed Panama Canal transit schedules.

Earlier this week, Hapag-Lloyd introduced additional surcharges across the Caribbean and South America to offset rising third-party feeder costs.

In Bahamas' Freeport, high winds could impact bunkering operations, with potential delays to anchorage deliveries.

Cruise vessels are being prioritized, which may further constrain bunker barge availability during busy periods. Lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO are around 5–7 days.

Offshore Trinidad, bunkering operations continue without any severe disruptions, with deliveries carried out while vessels are underway, meaning the vessel is moving rather than anchored or alongside, and no congestion is reported, a source said.

In Brazil's Santos, VLSFO and LSMGO are available with lead times of around 4–5 days, although congestion persists. HSFO is no longer available across all Brazilian ports.

Availability in Rio de Janeiro and Paranaguá is okay, with lead times of around 4–5 days for VLSFO and LSMGO.

In contrast, Rio Grande is experiencing tighter supply conditions, with lead times extending beyond 7 days and deliveries subject to enquiry.

Further north, Belém and Vila do Conde continue to see stable availability, with typical lead times of 4–5 days.

In Argentina, operations at Necochea remain disrupted as independent truckers continue to block access to the port, preventing cargo deliveries by road after mediation efforts broke down.

Meanwhile, truck access to Bahia Blanca has resumed, and some vessels have reportedly shifted there, potentially supporting bunker demand, a source said.

In Zona Común, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal, with lead times of around 5–6 days. High wind gusts are expected through 26 April and could disrupt bunkering, with operations likely to be suspended if wind speeds exceed 20 knots.

By Gautamee Hazarika

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