Tampa:
First-quarter Tampa molten contracts were settled at $69/lt CFR, down 32%, or $33/lt, from $102/lt CFR in the fourth quarter.
US Imports:
July-December sulfur imports softened 12.2% year-over-year, to 1.25 million st from 1.42 million st. December imports were down 22.7%, falling to 200,542 st from 259,556 st. Canadian cargoes dominated the July-December import slate with 659,957 st, while Saudi Arabia shipped 144,310 st. Mexico sent 92,116 st, above 73,666 st from Iraq.
US Exports:
Sulfur exports softened 22.0% in December, to 112,730 st from the year-go 144,469 st. July-December exports were 1.15 million st, however, up 7.0% on the year-ago 1.08 million st. Brazil took 498,149 st in July-December, ahead of 322,423 st to Mexico and 135,181 st to Morocco. Tons sent to New Caledonia were steady at 120,229 st.
US Gulf:
The US Gulf market pressed higher, to $69-$71/mt FOB from $65-$70/mt FOB. With multiple refineries reportedly undergoing maintenance turnarounds, sources reported limited availability in the region.
Brazil:
Brazil sulfur imports firmed during the week, players said, to $95-$100/mt CFR from the prior $91-$95/mt CFR. A CMOC tender was reported closing at the top of the range.
Vancouver:
With trading offices in China shut for the Lunar New Year holiday, Vancouver prill prices remained at $65-$68/mt FOB for the week.
Alberta:
Alberta netbacks continued at (-)$46-(-)$1/mt FOB, with both molten sulfur cargoes contracted into the US market and solid material shipped offshore through the Vancouver export market represented in the range.
West Coast:
West Coast prills continued at $65-$68/mt FOB. Fourth-quarter molten contracts were valued at $50-$55/lt FOB.
China:
Sources reported an inactive market due to the Lunar New Year holiday. Import prices were $94-$95/mt CFR, steady from the prior report.
ADNOC:
Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (ADNOC) sulfur softened to $69/mt FOB Ruwais for February loading, falling 10.4% from $77/mt FOB in January.
Qatar:
February Muntajat prices were posted at $69/mt FOB Ras Laffan, sources said, a 6.8% decline from January’s $74/mt FOB offer.