Tampa: Weather remained a cause for concern as winter storms continued to dump snow and ice on much of the country, negatively affecting shipping and logistics operations. Railcar delays were especially prevalent.
U.S. oil refinery operating rates fell slightly for the week ending Feb. 14, according to data obtained from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Outputs sank to 86.8 percent on the week, a 0.3 percent drop from the previous reporting period. Operating rates are significantly higher than the same time a year ago, however, when they were reported at 82.9 percent for the seventh week of 2013. The five-year average was 82.8 percent.
The price of molten sulfur at Tampa was $110/lt DEL for the first quarter.
U.S. Gulf: Gulf prill prices held steady at $110-$120/mt FOB based on no reported transactions. Sources said little-to-no tradable supply existed on the Gulf market, and that trading had essentially halted in recent weeks. The price is expected to rise once supply loosens and transactions resume, however.
Vancouver: The spot price of sulfur in Vancouver rose to a range of $160-$180/mt FOB for the week, supported by an international market said to command prices of up to $220/mt DEL in China.
Supply hiccups, largely stemming from weather-related issues and refineries headed into their annual turnaround periods, were said to help buoy prices, but anticipated increases from Russian and Kazakh sources may temper prices as winter weather begins to soften, sources said.
The price of sulfur from Alberta remained at (-)30-(+)37/mt.
West Coast: The price of West Coast sulfur, following the Vancouver market upward, was said to be in a range of $150-$165/mt FOB.
Benelux: The price of Benelux was $130-$144/mt for the first quarter, a $22/mt increase from $108-$122/mt in the fourth quarter.
ADNOC: The ADNOC price for February was $180/mt FOB, a $40/mt FOB increase over the January price of $140/mt FOB.