ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (10 Oct 2024)

The following article regarding bunker fuel availability in the Americas region has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

• VLSFO and LSMGO availability normal in Houston
• Operations suspended in Florida ports amid Hurricane Milton 

North America

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Houston. Lead times of 4-6 days are recommended for both grades in the port. Prompt HSFO availability is tight, with lead times of up to eight days recommended for the grade, a trader said.

No product loading delays have been reported in the Houston area, another source said.

Several ports in Florida have been shut down because of Hurricane Milton, which made landfall on the western coast of Florida on Wednesday evening. The hurricane weakened into a category 3 hurricane before hitting Florida, but has been very destructive.

Port operations and bunkering have been suspended in the ports of Tampa, Manatee, St. Petersburg and Fort Myers since Tuesday, which were in the direct path of the hurricane. Bunkering usually happens by trucks in Tampa and all deliveries have been called off, a source said.

On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden described Hurricane Milton as the “storm of the century” and urged residents to evacuate ahead of the landfall.

Bunker deliveries in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) have been suspended since Monday because of bad weather conditions. Calmer weather from Thursday afternoon could allow bunkering to resume in the area and for suppliers to clear backlogs caused by weather disruptions. One supplier is accepting orders for prompt supply in GOLA, but these deliveries are still subject to weather conditions.

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Baltimore – located on the East Coast of the US. One supplier can deliver LSMGO within two days, a source said.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in New York. Lead times of 2-4 days are recommended for both grades. Prompt HSFO supply can be tight in the port, with lead times of seven days recommended for the grade, a trader said. There is strong HSFO demand from container lines in New York, the trader added.

Prompt availability is tight in the West Coast ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Lead times of 8-10 days are generally recommended to secure VLSFO and LSMGO in both locations.

Caribbean and Latin America

Availability is normal in Balboa and Cristobal in Panama. Some suppliers are able to supply VLSFO and LSMGO for prompt delivery dates in both locations.

Bunkering was suspended in Bahamas’ Freeport on Thursday because of the rough weather that Hurricane Milton brought with it. The area was experiencing strong storm-force wind gusts of up to 55 knots, making barge deliveries difficult. Calmer weather conditions are forecast for Saturday, which could allow bunkering to resume in Freeport.

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight in Jamaica’s Kingston, a source said.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal at Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage. Wind gusts ranging between 16-27 knots are forecast in Zona Comun on Thursday. Winds at the higher end of that range can pose problems to bunker deliveries by barge.

By Nithin Chandran

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 11 October, 2024