Americas Fuel Availability Outlook 4 June

Houston congestion extends lead times

US West Coast fuel availability tight

Panama and Colombia offer prompt availability

IMAGE: Aerial view of a port in Brazil. Getty Images.

North America

Bunker fuel demand in Houston is strong across all three conventional fuel grades. Availability is tight for prompt deliveries this week, with HSFO and VLSFO requiring 8-10 days of lead time, while LSMGO can be delivered within 5-7 days.

Heavy congestion and delays have been reported at the loading terminals over the past week or two. As a result, vessels should factor in potential operational delays even after stem confirmation, a source said.

Bunker deliveries at the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) are being conducted on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to weather conditions.

All three conventional fuel grades are available with lead times of 7-10 days, a trader tells ENGINE.

On the US East Coast, bunker demand in New York has softened compared to previous weeks. VLSFO availability is tight, with lead times stretching to 8-9 days.

HSFO can be delivered within a week, while LSMGO is more readily available and requires 3-4 days of lead time, a source said.

Premiums across all three conventional fuel grades are high at the port. High wind gusts could disrupt operations between 3-7 June. Currently, no backlog congestion or bunker barge readiness issues have been reported.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on 1 June and could lead to intermittent disruptions to bunkering operations across the US Gulf Coast, East Coast and parts of the Caribbean.

However, forecasts from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) point to a less active season than last year, which could limit the frequency and duration of weather-related delays.

Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring Tropical Depression One-E, located southwest of the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula.

On the West Coast, bunker fuel demand is steady.

Availability is tight for HSFO and VLSFO at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, with lead times ranging from 7-10 days depending on stem size. LSMGO can be delivered within 5-7 days, a source said.

A new hybrid cruise vessel, El Escudo, has begun operations at the Port of Los Angeles. The vessel can operate in fully electric, hybrid and diesel modes, with some voyages capable of achieving zero-emission operations.

The port said its deployment marks another step in the adoption of lower-emission technologies at US ports as the maritime sector continues to pursue decarbonisation goals.

Latin America and the Caribbean

In Panama, bunker demand is high, with good fuel availability reported at both Balboa and Cristobal. All three fuel grades are currently available for delivery within 3–5 days, according to a source.

Weather conditions are not expected to impact operations significantly. Bunker deliveries continue on a first-come, first-served basis and remain subject to prevailing weather conditions, while vessels with confirmed Panama Canal transit slots are given priority.

In Colombia, bunker fuel availability has remained good across the key ports of Cartagena, Santa Marta and Barranquilla. VLSFO and LSMGO have been widely available, with lead times for both grades standing at 3-4 days.

HSFO has not been widely available across Colombian ports, although it can occasionally be secured at larger ports, a trader said. The earliest delivery date for the grade has been around four days.

In the Bahamas' Freeport, cruise ships have been prioritised, which could affect bunker scheduling. Delays to anchorage deliveries are also possible, a source said.

In St. Eustatius, potential disruptions are expected between 4-7 June due to strong wind gusts. Deliveries are being conducted while underway, and bunker operations could experience delays because of rough sea conditions.

Offshore Trinidad, bunkering operations have been facing delays due to high seas. These conditions are expected to persist through the weekend, a source said.

In Brazil, VLSFO and LSMGO availability has remained good across key ports.

The port of Santos has remained congested, but fuel availability has been adequate, with lead times ranging between 5-8 days.

In Rio de Janeiro, Paranaguá, Rio Grande, Belém and Vila do Conde, availability of both grades has been reported as stable, with most suppliers able to complete deliveries within 4-6 days, a trader told ENGINE.

In Argentina's Zona Común, bunker deliveries have continued normally, and availability of VLSFO and LSMGO has remained good at the anchorage. Lead times for both grades have ranged between 6-8 days, a source said.

By Gautamee Hazarika

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