Tampa: Supply and demand for sulfur continued to be in balance last week, as U.S. refineries were cranking out product at steady levels. The amount of sulfur would be higher if refiners were using higher sulfur crude – which they were not.
The U.S. Department of Energy said last week that the weekly operating capacity rate for refineries decreased 0.2 percent, from 88.3 percent to 88.1 percent, but that remained a very high rate.
Vancouver: Spot prices were in the $180-$190/mt FOB range last week.
Meanwhile, the strike (see front page story) at Canadian Pacific Railway (CP), which started shortly after midnight on May 22, will primarily affect Shell and its shipments from its oil sands production area, depending on how long the walkout lasts. Vancouver is primarily served by the Canadian National (CN) Railway, while Shell Shantz is served by CP.
One problem from the strike would be if sulfur railcars back up at yards, which could take more time to unclog.
West Coast: A sulfur-prill vessel was scheduled to be loaded at Anacortes, Wash., early this week.