All Clear Sailing (Mostly): A Look at Americas Fuel Availability in June 2024

Hey there, fellow sailors! As someone who spends a lot of time on the water, I know how important it is to stay on top of fuel availability. This month, things have been a bit of a mixed bag across the Americas, but overall, it looks good. Let’s dive into the specifics by region:

U.S. Gulf Coast:

• Houston: Thanks to Tropical Storm Alberto causing a stir earlier in June, demand has been low in Houston. The good news is, this translates to easy access to all fuel grades, with most suppliers offering deliveries within 5-7 days. Need HSFO? Just be prepared for a slightly longer wait.
• New Orleans: While Houston chilled, New Orleans saw a rise in demand. This is likely because their VLSFO and LSMGO prices dipped lower than Houston’s. Luckily, suppliers in NOLA are well-stocked and can meet that demand with prompt deliveries.
• Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA): After some rough seas forced a pause, bunkering operations are back on track in GOLA. Availability of VLSFO and LSMGO is good, with lead times of 3-5 days. Demand here has also picked up, so get your orders in if you’re planning to refuel there.

West Coast:

• Los Angeles & Long Beach: Things have been calm on the West Coast. Demand in these ports remains low, but that means you’ll find normal availability of all fuel grades with typical lead times of around 5-7 days.

East Coast:

• New York: Similar to the West Coast, demand in New York has been on the quiet side this month. The upside? Easy access to VLSFO and LSMGO with prompt deliveries.

Caribbean and Latin America:

• Panama: The good folks down in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal are seeing healthy demand for bunker fuel. Luckily, suppliers are keeping up, offering all fuel grades with lead times of 5-7 days. The Panama Canal Authority is also gradually increasing the number of daily vessel transits, which is good news for overall shipping activity.
• Argentina: Cruising down to Argentina? Zona Comun anchorage boasts very good availability of LSMGO and VLSFO for prompt deliveries. This is thanks to a surplus in storage at nearby refineries.

Overall, the Americas fuel availability picture for June is positive. While there have been a few regional hiccups, things seem to be smoothing out. Of course, this is a dynamic situation, so it’s always wise to check with suppliers directly before setting sail.

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