North America
Overall demand has been better in Houston in the past week. Several suppliers are fully booked for the prompt dates in the region. However, VLSFO and LSMGO grades remain normal with many suppliers in the Houston area. Most suppliers are able to deliver stems within 2-3 days of lead time, as well as for dates further out.
Bunker operations have been suspended by rough weather conditions in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA). Rough weather is forecast until next week, which could push back delivery dates. Wind gusts of up to 40 knots are likely to hold up bunkering in GOLA.
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Securing prompt VLSFO and LSMGO stems is possible at the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA). However, lead times have gone up from last week’s 1-2 days to 5-6 days now.
Bunker demand remains low in the West Coast ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Availability of all grades is better than normal in Los Angeles, with a lead time of 10 days. While a supplier can deliver LSMGO and HSFO stems in Long Beach within a wide range of lead time of 6-11 days
Demand has been slightly better in the East Coast port of New York. Suppliers are able to deliver LSMGO and VLSFO stems within four days of lead time.
Caribbean and Latin America
Bunker demand has been slow in Panama’s Balboa this week. Product availability is normal with several suppliers able to supply VLSFO, HSFO and LSMGO with a lead time of 4-5 days. However, securing VLSFO stems for prompt dates can be tight in Cristobal, as several suppliers have limited products available.
Bunker fuel availability is normal in offshore Trinidad. Recommended lead time for VLSFO and LSMGO is about 3-4 days, a trader says.
VLSFO availability can be tight in Jamaica’s Kingston. Some suppliers need 12-13 days of lead time to deliver stems.
Argentina’s Zona Comun continues to struggle with muted demand and weather disruptions, which have dented the bunker market over the past few weeks, a source says. While most suppliers can still accommodate stems for prompt dates.
Source: By Debarati Bhattacharjee, ENGINE, https://engine.online/news
