Tampa: Supply and demand remained in balance last week, although some smaller buyers were looking for additional supplies. However, that was not enough to alter the balance.
No transportation issues were found last week, but the potential of a Canadian Pacific rail strike still loomed.
The U.S. Department of Energy said last week that the weekly operating capacity rate for refineries increased 0.4 percent, from 86 percent to 86.4 percent. A year ago, the rate was 81.7 percent. However, because refineries were using more sweet crude than sour, the higher rate will not provide any significant increase in the amount of sulfur produced.
Vancouver: Spot prices for prill from Vancouver were running in the $180-$185/mt FOB range.
No new developments were reported after the 5,000 members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference voted 95 percent for a strike position after May 22. The union represents conductors, trainmen, yardmen, locomotive engineers, and traffic controllers at Canadian Pacific Railway. A strike would affect shipments to both Vancouver and the U.S.
West Coast: Prices for sulfur from the West Coast were also in the $180-$185/mt FOB range, and a vessel was scheduled to depart later this month.