High winds, rough seas disrupt bunker operations across Americas

Weather conditions may lead to delays in deliveries in the Caribbean and US Gulf, while Zona Común faces near-term suspension risk.

IMAGE: Ships docked at the Seaport of the Port of Galveston Texas. Getty Images.

Adverse weather conditions are likely to disrupt bunkering operations across several key ports in the Americas, with high winds and rough seas expected to affect deliveries throughout the week.

In the US Gulf, operations at the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) have resumed, following a suspension on Monday.

However, another suspension of bunkering activity is likely early on 10 April as high wind gusts and heavy seas move into the region.

Possible delays in deliveries are expected over the next several days, and barge operations will continue to monitor local conditions, a source informed.

Deliveries are being conducted on a first-come, first-served basis at the anchorage.

New York is also experiencing strong winds, which may require additional operational precautions such as standby tug assistance, and lead to possible disruptions in anchorage deliveries between 8-11 April.

There is no major backlog congestion reported so far at the port. Recommended lead times are currently at over a week to 10 days for all three conventional fuel grades, a source said.

Further east, Freeport in the Bahamas is expected to face disruptions from the evening of 8 April through 12 April due to strong winds. Anchorage deliveries may be delayed, with barge operators assessing conditions on a daily basis before proceeding.

In Freeport, HSFO and LSMGO can be delivered with lead times of around 6–7 days this week.

In the Caribbean, offshore Trinidad is also likely to experience weather-related delays until 11 April. Deliveries remain subject to real-time assessment by supply vessels, with high seas and strong winds posing operational challenges, a trader said.

Meanwhile, Zona Común is facing more immediate disruption risks. While deliveries are currently underway, operations are expected to be suspended as wind speeds exceed 20 knots.

By Gautamee Hazarika

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