Bunker fuel demand at the Port of Houston located in the Gulf of Mexico, United States has sharply increased. All three conventional fuel grades, namely HSFO, VLSFO, and LSMGO, have immediate supply constraints. Proposed delivery times for these fuels vary from five days to one week, and some suppliers may request more than seven days, depending on the demand.
Impact of New Bridge Construction on Maritime Traffic
Vessel traffic from the Houston shipping channel will face restrictions starting late December due to the construction of a new bridge at Beltway 8. During this time, vessels will not be allowed to pass under the bridge. These restrictions are expected to continue every night from 18:00 to 04:00 for a duration of four to five months.
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In the Galveston anchorage area, availability for all three fuel grades is limited this week. Proposed delivery times have increased to 6-8 days, and severe weather conditions may cause further delays in deliveries. While the threat of sea fog in Galveston is low until Wednesday, fog is expected to reach moderate levels at the Port of Corpus Christi on Tuesday, reducing visibility to about 4 nautical miles.
Bunker Situation in New York and Latin America
In New York, bunker fuel demand has increased over the week. Availability for immediate supply of VLSFO and HSFO is limited, and both grades require delivery times of more than five days. In contrast, LSMGO is offered in better condition, with proposed delivery times between 2 to 3 days.
A similar situation is observed in Latin America and the Caribbean. At the Balboa and Cristobal ports in Panama, access to all three fuel grades has been restricted, and fuel demand has been reported. Suppliers require more than a week for delivery of VLSFO and LSMGO. HSFO is severely limited, and suppliers recommend proposed times of 8-10 days.
In Colombia, availability of HSFO at the Port of Cartagena is limited and can only be arranged after consultation with suppliers. At this port, VLSFO and LSMGO are available with delivery times of 3-4 days. In Peru, HSFO is also limited at the Port of Callao and is only accessible based on prior consultation. In Brazil, the availability of VLSFO and LSMGO at the Port of Santos is normal, with estimated delivery times of 4-7 days.
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