Tampa: Sulfur prices for molten delivery to Tampa had not been settled as of late last week, but that could happen sometime this week. There were no new rumors on whether either side was softening on the amount of the decrease for the new quarter. Sulfur providers sought to hold the price at $20/lt down, while phosphate producers were said to be seeking a decrease of closer to $60/lt.
Refinery capacity operating rates last week decreased 1.9 percent, from 85.6 percent to 83.7 percent.
Vancouver: Faced with what some said was a faulty business plan, Prism Sulphur announced it would sever its supply agreements at the end of 2012 at the direction of its members. The 14 members agreed to the transition and to support Prism’s conversion to a private company and become more flexible.
Prism relied on sulfur supplies from sour gas, which are diminishing, and was not allowed to sell molten sulfur in the country. It is not allowed to sell into the U.S. because it is considered a syndicate. A source said Prism had high overhead costs.
China will probably not make any changes in its sulfur buying until after Tet, the Chinese New Year.
Spot prices from Vancouver have been in the same range as new contracts, $170-$175/mt FOB.
West Coast: Spot prices were tracking the Vancouver market in the $170-$175/mt FOB range.
U.S. Imports: November imports were up 8 percent, to 188,736 st from the year-ago 174,176 st. July-November imports were 988,167 st, about even with the year-ago 983,289 st.