ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (22 August 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:

• Low demand in Houston
• Strong demand in Brazilian ports
• Agunsa starts biofuel bunkering service in Argentina

North America

Bunker fuel demand has remained slow in Houston this week and availability of all fuel grades has been good for prompt dates. Most suppliers can offer VLSFO and LSMGO stems with a lead time of 3-5 days in Houston, down from last week’s 5-7 days.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability has also been good for prompt dates in Bolivar Roads. Deliveries there remain subject to weather conditions and anchorage schedules, a source says.

VLSFO and LSMGO grades are tight for prompt dates in Lake Charles. Two suppliers were unable to offer stems for an enquired lead time of 4-5 days.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is good for very prompt dates in Sabine Pass. One supplier is able to offer stems immediately.

Bunkering was proceeding normally in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) on Thursday amid good weather conditions. The weather is forecast to remain calm over the weekend and most of next week. Despite conducive weather conditions, bunker demand in GOLA has been very low this week.

Securing both prompt and non-prompt stems for all fuel grades is tight at the New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA). Some suppliers are unable to provide an exact date for when they will have the supply available.

Demand has been low in the West Coast port of Los Angeles this week. Availability of all grades is normal, with lead times of around 5-7 days. However, demand in Long Beach has been relatively better. Suppliers can offer VLSFO and LSMGO stems with a lead time of 4-5 days.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in the East Coast port of New York. Overall, bunker demand has been slow in New York so far this week.

Caribbean and Latin America

Bunker fuel demand has been normal in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal. Product availability is also good in both locations, with several suppliers able to supply all fuel grades with a lead time of 5-7 days.

Bunker operations have remained suspended in Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage since 16 August due to strong wind gusts. Heavy bunkering delays are expected at the anchorage when bunkering resumes, a source says.

Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO in Zona Comun remains very tight. Suppliers require at least 7-8 days of lead time to deliver stems at the anchorage, a source says.

Chile-based maritime firm Agunsa has started offering biofuel bunkering in Argentina, a country where sustainable biofuels are not yet widely used in the maritime sector.

Agunsa’s subsidiary, Total Bunkering, has partnered with a local supplier to offer UCOME-derived biofuel blended with VLSFO or LSMGO, certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC). Biofuel blends can be delivered by truck to several ports, including San Nicolás, Campana, San Pedro, and Rosario.

Demand has picked up in Brazilian ports this week. Availability has been good in most of the ports, and some suppliers have been able to offer all the bunker grades at a lower price than usual, a source says.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 23 August, 2024