All posts by mickeybarb@charter.net

Muriate of Potash

Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Eastern Canada, Eastern Cornbelt, India, Market Watch, Northeast, Northern Plains, Potash Muriate, Russia, U.S. Gulf, Western Cornbelt

U.S. Gulf:

NOLA potash barge trades were reported in the $315-$325/st FOB range for near-term trades, up from the week-ago $315-$320/st FOB. However, most of the actual activity was reported in the forward market for fill tons, where players were citing June and beyond at $330/st FOB or higher.

Eastern Cornbelt:

Nutrien on May 5 announced a summer fill program for potash at $365/st FOB river terminals and $370/st FOB inland warehouses in the Midwest, with NOLA barge pricing referenced at $335/st FOB. Nutrien said orders would be taken through close-of-business on May 7 for delivery and invoicing by Sept. 30. Orders received after the fill book closes will be priced up $30/st, Nutrien said, and not guaranteed for delivery until after Oct. 1.

“The timing this year is a little earlier than normal,” Nutrien said in a statement. “This is in response to strong back-to-back application seasons last fall and this spring, which has drawn down retail potash inventory to very low levels and requires more time for us to plan.”

Nutrien said it anticipates another “robust fall application season” this year, and it expects to be “fully committed on potash for Q3” by the close of the fill order period. “Potash pricing remains firm both domestically and internationally, fueled by strong corn, soybean, wheat, cotton, and crude palm oil prices,” the company said. “Global availability of granular potash is very tight in all key granular potash markets, which is setting up competition between markets for granular supply.”

Mosaic on May 6 confirmed that it was also offering summer fill potash for May-September shipment at $365/st FOB river and $370/st FOB inland terminals in the Midwest, with NOLA barges referenced at the $335/st FOB level. The company said it expected the offer to close at the end of the week, when higher prices will be posted for Q4 availability.

The potash fill offers reflect a roughly $10/st drop from the last official spring postings from Canadian producers, with sources confirming recent prompt business at the $380/st FOB level out of inland warehouses amid reports of tightening supply. Some dealers questioned the timing of the fill offers, with one regional contact noting that the programs were out “before we even finish the spring season and have no idea regarding inventories at the end of the season.”

Western Cornbelt:

Sources continued to report prompt potash pricing at $350-$360/st FOB at the lower end of the range in the region.

Both Nutrien and Mosaic at midweek announced summer fill programs at $365/st FOB river terminals and $370/st FOB inland warehouses in the Midwest, with NOLA barges referenced at $335/st FOB for fill. Orders were required by the end of the business week for shipments through September, with Nutrien confirming a $30/st increase when the order book closes.

Northern Plains:

Sources quoted the potash market at $365-$370/st FOB St. Paul, with delivered fill ton offers in the $375-$385/st range in the Northern Plains. The market to U.S. buyers FOB Saskatchewan mines was pegged at $330-$340/st after netbacks, depending on grade.

Northeast:

Sources reported firming prices for potash in the Northeast. While offers for May-June tons began the week at $360/st FOB Fairless Hills, the price reportedly moved up to $380/st FOB on May 7 in the wake of the fill program announcements from Nutrien and Mosaic.

Eastern Canada:

Sources earlier in the week quoted prompt potash at C$545/mt FOB regional warehouses in Eastern Canada. On May 6, however, summer fill offers from both Nutrien and Mosaic were reportedly circulating at C$520/mt FOB warehouses for orders placed by close-of-business on May 7. After the order book closes, sources said the price will firm to C$560/mt FOB.

China:

Nutrien’s EVP and CEO of Potash Ken Seitz told analysts at the company’s first-quarter earnings call on May 4 that potash suppliers are continuing to target other higher netback markets instead of sending potash to China. He reiterated that Canpotex is committed on potash sales volumes into September (GM April 23, p. 14).

To date, Belarusian Potash Co. (BPC) is the only major supplier to reach a new contract supply agreement with China. BPC in February agreed with the Consortium of Chinese Buyers (Sinochem, CNAMPGC, and CNOOC) on a new price of $247/mt for deliveries through Dec. 31, 2021 (GM Feb. 10, p. 16).

The deal came on the heels of BPC’s settlement with India’s biggest potash buyer, Indian Potash Ltd. (IPL), in late January at the same price (GM Jan. 29, p. 17). BPC and IPL on April 5 subsequently agreed to a new contract price of $280/mt CFR after ICL and IPL did the same (GM April 5, p. 17).

“We’re watching China’s potash inventory levels closely at the moment because potash demand in China will be strong this year, and will continue to be strong going forward,” Seitz said.He estimatedChina’s current potash inventory at the ports at about 2.5 million mt, down from 3.7 million mt at this time last year. He noted that 1.5 million mt of that total is labeled as strategic reserve, resulting in only 1 million mt of useable product at the port.

Domestic prices for potash in China are reported at about $100/mt above the new revised India contract price, according to analysts cited by The Mosaic Co. in the company’s first-quarter earnings call on May 4.

Mosaic President and CEO Joc O’Rourke said potash price strength is evident in North America, Brazil, and Southeast Asia on the back of strong demand. He said price strength is also occurring in the China spot market, as evidenced by Canpotex’s tight supply position.

“We see all of these things as very positive for the potash market moving forward,” O’Rourke said. “I expect this to lead to an earlier and more constructive settlement with the Chinese at some point in the fall or early next year.”

At ICL’s first-quarter earnings call on May 6, CFO Kobi Altman confirmed that the company is looking to minimize potash tons to China and said it makes more sense to sell elsewhere.But Altman said ICL expects conditions to improve in China because there is “a significant disparity between the formal import price and the local price,” which he described as a spread of more than $100/mt.

“We think there will be a rationalization there probably before the year is over. So we expect new contract negotiations toward the end of this year,” Altman said. “In the meantime, we divert some of our China product elsewhere.”

Nutrien’s new President and CEO Mayo Schmidt told analysts that the company expects the recent increase in the Baltic Dry Index, which is issued daily by London’s Baltic Exchange and is a composite of the Capesize, Panamax, and Supramax timecharter averages, “to have minor impact” on the company’s offshore potash netbacks.

“Year-on-year ocean freights are on average $20/mt higher, but we anticipate the impact on our international potash netbacks will be less than $10/mt in 2021 due to Canpotex’s long-term freight arrangements,” Schmidt said.

ICL told analysts and investors at a company first-quarter earnings call on May 6 that rising shipping costs worked to their advantage relative to the competition because of the company’s advantageous geographical location. It said in the  new Indian contract, for instance, some $20/mt was additional freight costs and ICL was netting an additional $30/mt out of the $50/mt increase secured.

Bangladesh:

The Ministry of Agriculture has called its annual purchase tender for the supply of potash and DAP, and is looking for 200,000 mt of standard potash for shipment by Oct. 15. The tender closes on May 27.

The country’s Cabinet Committee on Public Procurement has approved a proposal to import 180,000 mt of potash from Belarus under a government-to-government arrangement. The Bangladesh Post, citing Cabinet Division Additional Secretary Shahida Akhter, said the price has been negotiated at $292.87/mt.

Bangladesh typically buys its July 1-June 30 potash requirements under an annual purchase tender, as well as under government-to-government deals. The country imported 702,000 mt in calendar year 2019 and 120,000 mt in the first half of calendar 2020, according to the latest IFA data.

India:

RCF closed a tender for the supply of 105,000 mt of standard potash (35,000 mt firm quantities and 70,000 mt at buyer’s option) on May 3 (GM April 23, p. 15). Offers are required to remain valid for 30 days from tender opening.

Russia:

Potash exports in the first two months of 2021 were up 211 percent year-over-year, to 1.8 million mt, according to Trade Data Monitor.

Brazil:

Potash prices moved up again at Paranagua, to $350-$370/mt CFR. Sources said increased demand inland and at the ports will continue to put upward pressure on pricing. Adding to the upward pressure are reports that traders are telling potential buyers that they are sold out until September.

Rondonopolis is reported at $410-$466/mt FOB ex-warehouse, representing a slight move up from last week. Sorriso is reported at $440-$445/mt FOB ex-warehouse.

The barter rate for 1mt ton of MOP remains 55 bags of corn or 21 bags of soy at Rondonopolis. In Southern Goias, the rate is 22.9 bags of soy and 38.8 bags of corn.

Sulfur

ADNOC - Abu Dhabi, Alberta, Brazil, China, Market Watch, Qatar, Sulfur, Tampa, U.S. Gulf, Vancouver, West Coast

Tampa:

Phillips 66 shut a 131,000 barrel/d fluidic catalytic cracking unit (FCC) at the company’s Bayway, N.J., plant on May 3, Genscape reported.

Tampa molten sulfur contracts were valued at $192/lt CFR for the second quarter, up $96/lt from the first-quarter $96/lt CFR agreement.

U.S. refining capacity pressed higher in the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) most recent report. Combined utilization was noted at 86.5 percent for the week ending April 30, a 1.1-point increase from the previous 85.4 percent rate. The current rate topped the year-ago 70.5 percent, but trailed the 86.1 percent five-year average.

Daily crude inputs were also higher, climbing to an average 15.243 million barrels/d from the previous 15.018 million barrels/d rate, a 225,000 barrel/d jump.

U.S. Gulf:

ExxonMobil Corp. on May 1 initiated a lockout of approximately 650 members of the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 12-243 union from the company’s 369,000 barrel/d refinery in Beaumont, Texas, Reuters reported.

The lockout was sealed after Exxon rejected a last-ditch contract offer from the USW on April 29 that would have extended the union’s previous contract by one year. The USW’s most recent contract expired on Feb. 1. The lockout is the facility’s first since 1998.

Genscape reported increased activity from a 104,000 barrel/d FCC at the Phillips 66 Alliance refinery in Belle Chasse, La. The unit, shut on April 22 for unplanned repairs, remained below operational levels on May 5. Phillips on May 5 successfully restarted a 46,000 barrel/d FCC at its Lake Charles, La., plant. The unit had been offline since Dec. 21, 2020.

Citgo on May 4 restarted a 36,000 barrel/d vacuum distillation unit (VDU) at its plant in Lake Charles. The unit was originally shut on Aug. 25, 2020, ahead of Hurricane Laura. Multiple other units remained offline, including a 50,000 barrel/d VDU and 34,000 barrel/d coking unit.

Genscape also reported shutdowns at a 49,000 barrel/d hydrocracker and 35,000 barrel/d catalytic reformer at Valero’s Corpus Christi West refinery on May 6.

Sources called potential Gulf spot netbacks steady at $180-$185/mt FOB, flat from the prior report.

Brazil:

Last-done spot deals into Brazil continued to be noted at $209/mt CFR, steady from the prior report. Contract tons were priced in the $213-$214/mt CFR range for delivery in the second quarter.

Vancouver:

Vancouver spot netbacks continued to be reported at $170-$180/mt FOB, unmoved from the prior week.

Alberta:

Ongoing turnarounds at a number of Alberta upgraders continued to result in tight sulfur supply in the region, sources noted, affecting spot availability into both the U.S. molten and Vancouver prill markets.

Sources labeled Alberta sulfur netbacks in the $65-$110/mt FOB range, encompassing molten tons contracted into the U.S. at the low and prilled material selling through the Vancouver export market at the top of the range.

West Coast:

Royal Dutch Shell Plc subsidiary Equilon Enterprises LLC, doing business as Shell Oil Products U.S. (Shell), on May 4 announced an agreement to sell its 149,000 barrel/d Puget Sound Refinery, located outside of Anacortes, Wash., to HollyFrontier Corp.

The sale, valued at $350 million, was expected to conclude in fourth-quarter 2021, and furthers a stated goal by Shell to divest a large share of its refinery holdings.

The West Coast prill market continued to be noted at $170-$180/mt FOB, steady from one week earlier. Molten contracts were valued in the $140-$155/lt FOB range for loading in the second quarter, up from $70-$77/lt FOB in the previous contract period.

China:

Sources noted a quiet import market due to the five-day national Labor Day celebration that began on May 1, but braced for a potential kickstart to the market following the holiday’s May 5 conclusion. “It’ll be interesting to see if buyers come back into the market,” said one source.

Last-done into China continued to be reported in the $180-$200/mt CFR range, steady from one week earlier.

ADNOC:

Prilled ADNOC sulfur offers for May were noted at $183/mt FOB Ruwais, $2/mt below the company’s $185/mt April offer.

Qatar:

May prill rates on tons produced by Qatar Petroleum were noted at $183/mt FOB Ras Laffan, falling $2/mt from $185/mt FOB in April.

Sulfuric Acid

Brazil, China, Gulf Coast, Market Watch, Midwest, Sulfuric Acid, U.S. Gulf, West Coast

U.S. Gulf:

Sources continued to call recent spot sulfuric vessel prices at $135-$140/mt CFR, unmoved from the prior report. Rising levels at Brazil were projected to lift the Gulf in the next round of business, however, with sources anticipating $155-$160/mt CFR values should a deal conclude today.

Gulf Coast:

Sulfuric acid delivered to the U.S. Gulf Coast was contracted in the $85-$110/st DEL range.

Midwest:

Midwest contracts for 2021 were reported even with the Gulf Coast at $85-$110/st DEL, unmoved from the prior report.

West Coast:

Sulacid values on the West Coast continued to be quoted in the $100-$130/st DEL range for 2021.

Brazil:

Recent business into Brazil was heard climbing to $155-$160/mt CFR from the week-ago $150-$155/mt CFR range. Discussions for the next round were noted at $165/mt CFR.

China:

Primary lead smelters operating in China’s Henan, Hunan, and Yunnan provinces operated at a combined 54 percent of capacity for the week ending April 30, Shanghai Metals Market reported, a 2.9 percentage point decline from the prior period.

Secondary lead smelters in Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan, and Guizhou posted operating rates 5.19 points above the week-ago 50.73 percent level, however, due primarily to a 10.18-point utilization jump at smelters in Anhui.

Ammonium Thiosulfate

Amthio, Eastern Canada, Eastern Cornbelt, Market Watch, Northern Plains, Specialty, Western Cornbelt

Eastern Cornbelt:

Sources continued to report extremely tight ammonium thiosulfate supplies, with at least one regional supplier reportedly forced to declare force majeure due to production issues, strict allocations, and a lengthy backlog of orders. Sources pegged the Eastern Cornbelt market in a very wide range at $320-$400/st FOB in early May.

IOC on May 3 moved its ammonium thiosulfate reference price up $50/st, to $400/st FOB Ohio River terminals.

Western Cornbelt:

Sources described the ammonium thiosulfate market as completely sold out in the region in early May, with the last confirmed offers in the $310-$330/st FOB range. IOC on May 3 raised its Houston reference price to $300/st FOB, up $35/st from the last posting at that location.

Northern Plains:

Sources reported no current ammonium thiosulfate pricing in the Northern Plains in early May, with prompt tons reportedly sold out and unavailable.

Eastern Canada:

Several sources described ammonium thiosulfate inventories in Eastern Canada as essentially sold out for spring, with the last available tons quoted at C$460-$480/mt FOB, up C$53/mt at the low end of the range.

“We have had and are still experiencing a shortage on ATS as early demand exceeded expectations, but supply is improving now that wheat is done,” said one source.

Crops/Weather

Crops/Weather, Eastern Canada, Eastern Cornbelt, Market Watch, Northeast, Northern Plains, Western Cornbelt

Eastern Cornbelt:

The week began with a strong storm system that spawned four tornadoes in central Illinois on May 3. The tornadoes were reported over farm fields and produced no structural damage, although there were reports of large hail up to two inches in diameter in some locations.

Strong thunderstorms also tracked through central Indiana and central Ohio on May 3-4, with reports of strong winds, locally heavy rain, and spotty hail. Conditions cleared at midweek and allowed some growers to return to the field, but isolated showers and thunderstorms returned to some parts of the region late on May 6.

Planting progress in the region once again inched ahead of the five-year average for corn and soybeans. Corn planting as of May 2 was estimated at 54 percent complete in Illinois, 32 percent in Indiana, and 22 percent in Ohio, with all three states tracking 4-5 percentage points ahead of the average pace.

Soybean planting was rated at 41 percent complete in Illinois, 24 percent in Indiana, and 17 percent in Ohio by that date, compared with 6-14 percent on average for this time of year. Ohio growers also had fully 81 percent of the oats planted by May 2, compared with 62 percent on average.

Western Cornbelt:

Isolated thunderstorms tracked through parts of the Western Cornbelt during the first week of May, including one that produced a tornado on May 5 near Hartington, Neb. A complex of strong storms also churned through central and southern Missouri early in the week, bringing heavy rain, high winds, and large hail to some locations.

Despite the weather delays, sources reported steady progress on spring planting in early May. Iowa growers had 69 percent of the corn and 43 percent of the soybeans planted by May 2, with both crops tracking 24 or more percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Nebraska growers had planted 42 percent of the corn and 20 percent of the soybeans by that date, some 6-8 points ahead of average.

Some crops were lagging in Missouri, however, with planting progress estimated at 50 percent complete for corn, 10 percent for soybeans, and only 3 percent for cotton. Missouri’s rice crop was 65 percent planted by May 2, slightly ahead of the average pace.

Northern Plains:

Extreme drought continued to cover most of North Dakota and a significant part of northern South Dakota in early May. While most of Minnesota was drought-free, a red flag warning was in effect on May 6 for much of central and northern Minnesota due to dry, windy conditions.

While the dry conditions have limited fertilizer movement in some areas, growers were able to move quickly on planting in late April and early May. Corn planting as of May 2 had progressed to 60 percent complete in Minnesota, 25 percent in South Dakota, and 14 percent in North Dakota, with all states at nearly double their five-year averages.

Soybean planting was also ahead of normal at 23 percent complete in Minnesota, 8 percent in South Dakota, and 2 percent in North Dakota. Sugar beet planting surged to 79 percent complete in Minnesota and 66 percent in North Dakota by May 2, well ahead of the five-year averages of 44 percent and 37 percent, respectively.

The planting of small grains was also moving quickly in the region. Spring wheat and barley seeding had progressed to 63-72 percent in Minnesota and 39-42 percent in North Dakota, while South Dakota growers had fully 81 percent of the spring wheat crop seeded by May 2, well ahead of the 54 percent five-year average. Oat planting was also ahead of schedule at 74 percent complete in South Dakota, 69 percent in Minnesota, and 20 percent in North Dakota.

Northeast:

The week began with highs in the mid-80 across central Pennsylvania and other parts of the Mid-Atlantic, but rain and cooler weather moved in quickly, slowing the planting pace in many locations.

More than an inch of rain fell from Connecticut to eastern Massachusetts on May 3-5, with lows dropping to a record low of 25 degrees in Presque Isle, Maine, early on May 4. Up to a half-inch of rain fell in central Maryland on May 4-5, with forecasts warning of damaging winds and hail in some locations on May 5.

Although progress was stalled in much of the state because of wet conditions in early May, Pennsylvania growers had 17 percent of the corn crop planted by May 2, ahead of the 13 percent five-year average.

Eastern Canada:

Cool, wet weather was reported across much of Eastern Canada during the first week of May, slowing planting activity and delaying fertilizer application.

Rainfall across northern Ontario ranged from 20-30 mm during the week, with 10-20 mm reported across southern Ontario and southern Quebec. Forecasts also warned of widespread frost and freeze conditions early on May 7 as the rains moved out and temperatures dropped.

Parts of New Brunswick and the Maritimes also reported steady rain and some scattered snow flurries at midweek, but a warmup was on the way late in the week. “Rain showers this last 4-5 days have slowed activity, but farmers are ready to go once the weather clears,” commented one regional source.

A source in Ontario said planting progress was well underway in his trade area, with most growers approaching the halfway mark. “Depending on where you are in the province, I would say down in the southwest it’s maybe 50 percent planted on corn and beans,” he said, adding that progress is further along on sandy soils, with harder ground only 20-25 percent planted.

Sources reported few logistics issues, with fertilizer application volumes described as good overall. “Volumes have been good as it appears that growers are planning to maximize yields,” said one contact. “The Montreal port strike affected the container traffic, but had little effect on bulk fertilizer movement.”

Transportation

Arkansas River, Illinois River, Market Watch, Mississippi RIver, Ohio River, Transportation, U.S. Gulf

U.S. Gulf:

Industrial Lock was reported closed for dolphin work on May 3, blocking movements between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Delays reported at 24 hours or more during the outage improved to approximately 12 hours on May 4, sources said.

High water and recent shutdowns contributed to ongoing congestion in the Port Allen Route, sources reported. The waterway returned from a high-water shutdown on April 27, although sources didn’t expect a return to normal operating conditions until mid-May.

Repairs to the Gross Tete drawbridge, located at Mile 36 on the Port Allen Route, were completed ahead of schedule on May 1. Previously scheduled to wrap up on May 15, the project was limited navigation to four hours daily, between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Guidewall damage sustained in a January barge collision at Port Allen Lock prompted ongoing towing restrictions at the site. Westbound tows pushing two or more barges were required to use an assist vessel, while west-moving boats with one or fewer cargoes were allowed to pass without assistance. Tows longer than 650 feet and moving to the east were also required to utilize assistance.

In-progress repairs at Port Allen Lock triggered sporadic four-hour daytime closures, sources said, expected daily between 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. The work was scheduled through May 17. Waits were quoted up to 39 hours for the week.

Improving conditions on the lower Mississippi River prompted easing navigation restrictions in the Gulf, sources said. Tow-size reductions of 5-10 barges were lifted to five barges, although long-term forecasts hinted of a possible return to firmer restrictions in the week ahead.

The river gauge at Baton Rouge, La., moved below the 30-foot action stage on May 2, the first time since March. Forecasts called for a return to action stage on May 6, however. A Flood Warning issued on May 3 for Red River Landing was slated to expire on May 25.

Harvey Lock remains shut through May 21 due to repairs on the 4th Street Bridge, located adjacent to the lock. Tows have been routed through Algiers Lock while work is underway, resulting in 2-3 day delays. As a result, shipments through the region experienced delivery delays of approximately one week.

Ongoing locking restrictions at Algiers Lock failed to help matters, sources noted. Unassisted tows remained capped at four standard barges or two 30,000 mt tankers per turn, although larger tows were possible with the use of an assist vessel.

Overnight shutdowns continued at Bayou Chene due to ongoing construction and dive activities. Movement was unavailable nightly between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., producing 6-12 hour delays.

Sources described intermittent daytime navigation outages at Bayou Sorrel Lock, resulting in waits up to 29 hours for the week. The delays were projected to continue through approximately May 15.

Industrial Lock delays were noted up to 25 hours for the week, and sources described 10-25 hour waits though Brazos Locks. Weather delays reported through the East and West Canals reportedly eased on May 6.

Mississippi River:

Falling water levels on the lower Mississippi River led to reduced towing restrictions, sources said, although maximum barge counts continue to run about five cargoes shy of normal. The river gauge at Vicksburg, Miss., has remained below the 35-foot action stage since late April, but a return to tighter restrictions was possible as early as May 9.

Revetment operations that began on April 27 at Randolph Bluff, located at Mile 770, triggered daily transit shutdowns from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. In an effort to ease backups reported at 6-12 hours, sources said contractors were passing both northbound and southbound vessels on a case-by-case basis whenever possible. The project is scheduled to conclude on May 31.

Sources reported a total navigational shutdown at the upper river’s Mile 474 on May 2-4 due to I-74 bridge construction. Lock 2 is projected to partially shut in July for miter gate installation, prompting daily 4-12 hour closures. Sources warned of daily 12-hour closures in July and August at Lock 25, blocking access between 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Lock 22 delays were reported in the 7-12 hour range during the week, and boats passing Lock 24 quoted wait times up to nine hours. Sources reported Lock 25 waits at 5-12 hours, while intermittent seven-hour delays were noted at Mel Price Lock.

Illinois River:

Peoria Lock will see partial daytime shutdowns on May 8-9 for emergency hydraulic cylinder repair, sources said. Delays were expected in at 2-12 hours. Rising water levels prompted lock operators to raise wickets at Peoria Lock and LaGrange Lock during the week, allowing tows to transit through the navigational pass.

Ohio River:

Power line installation was reported blocking Ohio River transportation at Miles 490-492 on May 5, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The primary chamber at Meldahl Lock is projected to shut from May 11 to June 29 for miter gate machinery repair and maintenance. Traffic will pass through the 600-foot secondary chamber while work is underway, with delays predicted.

Markland Lock’s secondary chamber is offline through approximately Oct. 29 due to structural damage to the miter gate. Tows have been passing with minimal delay through the main chamber since the start of the shutdown in early 2020. The secondary chamber at New Cumberland Lock was noted closed through June 10 for repairs.

The main chamber at Cannelton Lock is scheduled to undergo a total shutdown from June 21 through Nov. 19. Tows will pass through the site’s auxiliary chamber, with significant delays expected.

Rising flows prompted a return to lowered wickets at Olmsted Lock during the week, allowing vessels to transit through the nonlocking navigational pass.

The Tennessee River’s Chickamauga Lock is completely shut to navigation from May 3-24 for electrical repairs. The Wilson Lock main chamber is offline for repairs on May 4-14, prompting vessels to pass through the secondary chamber. Waits were quoted up to 12 hours for the week. Sources put Kentucky Lock delays in the 20-33 hour range.

The Cumberland River’s Cheatham Lock is set to undergo bio-acoustic fish fence (BAFF) repair, with intermittent closures scheduled for May 10 through July 15. The first leg of the project will see the lock completely offline through approximately May 21, sources said.

Arkansas River:

High water prompted a complete Arkansas River shutdown in the early morning of April 30, sources said. Receding water levels allowed a partial return to navigation on May 4, although tows were restricted to 50 percent of their typical 12-barge capacity.

David D. Terry Lock is slated to shut for dewatering and repairs from Aug. 27 through Sept. 9, with intermittent stoppages expected in advance of the shutdown on Aug. 16-26.

Growmark, Castlen Building New Kentucky Facility

Featured, News

Growmark Inc., Bloomington, Ill., and Castlen Enterprises, Owensboro, Ky., on May 6 announced significant progress on a project that will bring a new state-of-the-art large-scale warehouse distribution center to Owensboro, Ky. The new facility is currently under construction and scheduled to be operational in Fall 2021.

“This is just one example of Growmark’s continuing commitment to service the expanding needs of the Southern States Cooperative System, FS Member Companies, and other key retail customers in this agricultural region,” said Growmark Crop Nutrients Division Manager Kreg Ruhl.

“We are thrilled Growmark is coming to Castlen Terminal and look forward to continued growth,” added Castlen Enterprises Owner/President Matt Castlen. “It’s exciting to get to see the jobs built here in Owensboro, Kentucky, and the economic impact this distribution center is going to bring to the region.”

Growmark expanded its presence into Southeast U.S. markets, including Kentucky, through its partnership forged with Southern States Cooperative last year. In addition to having the capability to store and blend various grades of fertilizer, the design of the operation will allow product to be unloaded from barges and loaded onto trucks at rates necessary to meet the needs of today’s customers.