Americas Fuel Availability Outlook 30 Apr

Bunker demand in Houston picks up

VLSFO and LSMGO supply tight in Rio Grande

Bunkering suspended in Zona Comun

IMAGE: Container terminal at the port of Vancouver. Getty Images.

North America

In the US Gulf Coast, bunker demand in Houston has picked up over the week. Lead times for HSFO and VLSFO are around 5–7 days. LSMGO can be delivered more promptly, in about 3-4 days at the port, a trader said.

At the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), high wind gusts and rough seas are expected to impact operations from 2–3 May, potentially causing delivery delays.

Lead times for HSFO, VLSFO, and LSMGO have been between 3-7 days over the past week at the anchorage. Currently, deliveries are being carried out on a first-come, first-served basis.

In New Orleans, adverse weather conditions, including high wind gusts and thunderstorms, are expected to cause disruptions between 1–2 May.

No backlog congestion or barge readiness issues have been reported today.

Lead times for all three grades are between 3 and 4 days, a trader said.

Sea fog conditions across the Gulf Coast are expected to remain largely manageable over the coming days, with most ports indicating low to moderate visibility risk.

Pockets of moderate fog are forecast intermittently, particularly around key locations such as Galveston, Port Arthur and Lake Charles, but these are not expected to cause widespread or prolonged disruptions.

In New York, bunker demand is steady this week. Lead times for VLSFO and HSFO are estimated at 5–7 days, while LSMGO is more readily available, with shorter lead times of around 2–3 days.

In New York, high wind conditions are expected to disrupt bunker operations between 29 April and 3 May.

While no backlog congestion has been reported, suppliers may require standby tugs if weather conditions worsen, potentially impacting barge availability, a source said.

On the US West Coast, supply of VLSFO and LSMGO is decent across Los Angeles and Long Beach, with most suppliers offering delivery within lead times of about 6–8 days.

HSFO availability is comparatively tighter this week, with longer lead times reported, a source said.

In Vancouver, HSFO requires lead times of around 5–7 days this week. VLSFO and LSMGO are slightly tight, with lead times standing at 6–8 days, a trader said.

Latin America and the Caribbean

In Panama, bunker demand is healthy, and availability at Balboa and Cristobal is good. Most suppliers can deliver all three conventional fuel grades within lead times of around 3–6 days.

In Balboa, no weather-related disruptions have been reported.

Deliveries are being conducted on a first-come, first-serve basis and remain subject to prevailing weather conditions, with priority given to vessels with confirmed transit schedules, a trader said.

In Freeport, weather conditions are currently stable with no major disruptions being expected. However, bunker deliveries may face scheduling constraints as cruise ships are being prioritised, a trader tells ENGINE.

In Colombia, lead times for VLSFO and LSMGO in Cartagena, Santa Marta, and Barranquilla are currently at 3–4 days this week.

HSFO supply is a bit tight and only available at select ports such as Santa Marta and Barranquilla. The earliest delivery dates are estimated at approximately four days, a bunker trader said.

In Brazil's Santos, VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal, but congestion persists at the port, with recommended lead times of 5–7 days.

Rio de Janeiro and Paranagua have VLSFO and LSMGO, both available with recommended lead times of 4–5 days.

In Rio Grande, availability is tighter for both VLSFO and LSMGO, with lead times extending to over a week and supply under prior consultation, a source said.

Meanwhile, Belem/Vila do Conde reports good availability for VLSFO and LSMGO, with lead times anywhere between 3–6 days

In Argentina’s Zona Comun, the availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is okay with recommended lead times between 5-6 days.

Currently, bunkering operations at the anchorage have been suspended due to high wind gusts exceeding 20 knots, in line with local authorities’ instructions.

Disruptions at the anchorage are expected through 2 May and may extend to 4 May, a trader said.

By Gautamee Hazarika

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