**North America**
In Houston, the availability of all bunker fuel grades remains stable, with recommended lead times of 5 to 7 days. According to a market source, spot demand, especially for VLSFO and LSMGO, primarily drives market activity. In New York, the supply of HSFO and VLSFO is steady, with suggested lead times of 3 to 5 days. However, HSFO availability is slightly tight, necessitating lead times of 5 to 7 days.
Adverse weather conditions are expected to continue impacting operations at the port until May 10, leading to potential disruptions and delays for bunker barges. Bunkering activities resumed in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area on Thursday following a two-day suspension, with deliveries made on a first-come, first-served basis. Rough weather conditions persist, raising the possibility of further bunker suspensions later in the week. Nonetheless, a source indicated that “prolonged delays are not anticipated at the anchorage.” On the West Coast, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have observed a decline in cargo import volumes over the past month due to new tariffs altering trade flows.
Consequently, fuel demand has softened, although supply remains stable, with lead times still under seven days. Port officials noted that weaker imports could have significant economic repercussions beyond the local area. Ongoing US tariff negotiations are resulting in delays and influencing the number of port calls, particularly in Los Angeles, Long Beach, and New York Harbor. **Caribbean and Latin America**
In Panama, all bunker fuel grades are steadily available, although demand is notably low, with suppliers recommending lead times of 4 to 6 days.
In the Bahamas’ Freeport and St. Eustatius, deliveries are being prioritized for cruise ships at anchorage. Trinidad reports no current backlogs, and fuel availability remains consistent in Colombia’s key ports—Santa Marta, Barranquilla, and Cartagena—where all fuel grades are in stock with lead times of 2 to 3 days. Brazil generally enjoys a well-supplied market, but shortages are reported at the ports of Vila do Conde and Belém due to delayed resupply. A source noted that Ream Participações and Petrobras currently have no product available at these ports, with cabotage-related constraints affecting movements.
Santos is expected to face typical congestion over the next five days, with recommended lead times of 5 to 7 days. In Argentina, the Zona Comun anchorage is experiencing congestion and limited supply due to two suppliers, Minerva and Raízen, having barges in dry dock. As a result, VLSFO availability is tight with lead times of 12 to 14 days. High wind gusts forecasted for 11-12 May could disrupt operaions, with potential halting of bunker barge deliveries if wind speeds exceed 20 knots.