Tampa: Hovensa LLC announced last week that it will shut down its refinery at St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, in mid-February. The plant has been losing money due to competition from new refineries in developing nations, the economic slowdown, and low natural gas prices in the U.S.
Sulfur prices for the first quarter for molten deliveries to Tampa had not been decided as of late last week, but that situation was expected to be resolved within the next few days. Both sides agree the price will go down, but by how much had not been agreed upon.
The U.S. DOE said refinery capacity operating rates last week decreased 1.5 percent, from 83.7 percent to 82.2 percent.
Vancouver: New February prices for Vancouver sulfur were expected to be settled in the $170/mt FOB range. China was not likely to make any new moves on sulfur until after its New Year.