Barge delays at Algiers lock near New Orleans

Market: Agriculture, Chemicals, Coal, Coking coal, Crude oil, Metals, Petroleum coke
24/04/24

Barges are facing lengthy delays at the Algiers lock near New Orleans as vessels reroute around closures at the Port Allen lock and the Algiers Canal.

Delays at the Algiers Lock —at the interconnection of the Mississippi River and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway— have reached around 37 hours in the past day, according to the US Army Corps of Engineers' lock report. Around 50 vessels are waiting to cross the Algiers lock.

Another 70 vessels were waiting at the nearby Harvey lock with a six-hour wait in the past day.

The closure at Port Allen lock has spurred the delays, causing vessels to reroute through the Algiers lock. The Port Allen lock is expected to reopen on 28 April, which should relieve pressure on the Algiers lock.

Some traffic has been rerouted through the nearby Harvey lock since the Algiers Canal was closed by a collapsed powerline, the US Coast Guard said. The powerline fell on two barges, but no injuries or damages were reported. The wire is being removed by energy company Entergy.

The canal is anticipated to reopen at midnight on 25 April.

By Meghan Yoyotte

Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

News

17/01/25

Canada's Trans Mountain investigating capacity increase

Calgary, 17 January (Argus) — The operator behind Trans Mountain's 890,000 b/d pipeline system in western Canada is looking into increasing its capacity as export congestion looms, while threatened US tariffs may prompt the country to re-examine its broader pipeline strategy. "We have started to identify and investigate opportunities that could improve the throughput efficiency of the system and increase capacity of the pipeline — ideally in the next four to five years," Trans Mountain told Argus on Friday. Federally-owned Trans Mountain would not say how much of an increase it was contemplating, but any plans would be subject to thorough regulatory reviews and approval before proceeding. The system connects producers in oil-rich Alberta to the docks at Burnaby, British Columbia, and its capacity was roughly tripled when the 590,000 b/d Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) was placed into service in May 2024. The increased system has been a popular outlet for shippers, both for selling to US West coast refiners, but also for producers looking to bypass the US altogether and target Asian countries. Trans Mountain is expected to be full by 2028, chief executive Mark Maki told a parliamentary committee in October , as are other lines which have operators like Enbridge also looking to up egress capacity. The laying of new pipe may not necessarily be a big part of these increases as both are looking at making their systems more efficient. TMX is expected to cost about C$34bn ($24bn) after enduring regulatory delays, political and environmental resistance, court orders, wildfires, floods, Covid-19 measures, and rising labor costs caused by competing pipelines since being proposed in 2013. Other proposed export pipelines like Enbridge's 525,000 b/d Northern Gateway and TC Energy's 1.1mn b/d Energy East did not get past the approval stage under a federal Liberal government. Alberta premier Danielle Smith on 16 January called on Canada to "immediately start construction on the Northern Gateway and Energy East pipelines" to decrease the country's reliance on US customers in the wake of threatened tariffs by president-elect Donald Trump. Prime minister Justin Trudeau and all Canadian premiers, except Smith, have not ruled out the use of Canada's energy — most of which comes from Alberta — in retaliation to US tariffs. Smith has been labeled by some as not being part of a unified front for Canada, but she questions where the "Team Canada" approach has been in the past, citing suffocating regulations for the energy industry and decades of transfer payments made to Quebec, Ontario and the Maritime provinces at the expense of Alberta taxpayers. There is precedent for Smith's concerns, referencing a clash between Alberta and prime minister Pierre Trudeau, Justin's father, in 1973 when a federal tax was imposed on Canadian oil exported to the US amid the Arab oil embargo. Conflict peaked again in the early 1980s when the Trudeau government introduced its National Energy Program, which included price controls on domestic oil. By Brett Holmes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Find out more

News

US industrial production ends 2024 on strong note

17/01/25

News

17/01/25

US industrial production ends 2024 on strong note

Houston, 17 January (Argus) — US industrial production posted the strongest monthly growth in 10 months in December, boosted by rebounds in energy, mining and aircraft output. US industrial production rose by a better-than-expected 0.9pc, as gains in output of aircraft contributed 0.2 percentage point after resolution of a Boeing aircraft plant strike, according to Federal Reserve data released today. That followed growth of 0.2pc in November and was three times higher than analysts' estimates for 0.3pc growth. Manufacturing output, which accounts for about 75pc of industrial output, rose by 0.6pc after gaining 0.4pc in November after two months of declines, the Federal Reserve said. Consumer goods output rose by 0.5pc on the month. Durable manufacturing rose by 0.4pc, with aerospace and miscellaneous transportation equipment up by 6.3pc and primary metals up by 1.7pc. Motor vehicles and parts output fell by 0.6pc. Output of nondurable consumer goods rose by 0.7pc, boosted by a 1.9pc gain in energy. Business equipment output rose by 1.4pc, largely on the gain in civilian aircraft. The indexes for mining and utilities, which account for 14pc and 11pc of total industrial output, climbed by 1.8pc and 2.1pc, respectively. Natural gas output was up by 6.2pc on the month. Total industrial production was up by 0.5pc in December from a year earlier. Manufacturing was flat on the year and posted monthly declines in five months last year, while utilities were up by 0.3pc and mining was up by 4.3pc from a year earlier. Capacity utilization rose to 77.6pc, up from downwardly revised 77pc for the prior two months, which was the lowest since May. By Bob Willis Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

Export opportunities crucial for Turkish mills in 2025

17/01/25

News

17/01/25

Export opportunities crucial for Turkish mills in 2025

London, 17 January (Argus) — Waning prospects for the Turkish domestic rebar market means domestic steel mills are keeping a close eye on developments in potential key export destinations, as well as in key global demand drivers China and the US. The recent ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas could lead to a recovery of Turkish exports to Israel in the coming months, while there is some expectation that the Chinese government will announce further stimulus packages once Donald Trump is inaugurated as US president on 20 January for a second term. At the same time, mills producers will be keen for the Turkish government to persuade Syria's new government to soften its stance on its steep hike in import duties announced earlier this week. Post-earthquake reconstruction work in southern Turkey is not likely to provide the same level of support to prices this year that it did last year. Earthquakes struck in the Iskenderun region of Turkey and in northern Syria in February 2023, eventually resulting in strong demand for rebar used for reconstruction work throughout most of last year. But the premium enjoyed by Iskenderun-based steelmakers as a result has become a discount in recent weeks as demand has faded, and with local supply so far failing to respond. In housing projects, rebar is required mainly in the foundations of buildings, and so even for projects that are not yet completed, the spike in rebar demand in the region may have run its course. Recent acquisitions in the Iskenderun region by major producers Habas and Tosyali are squeezing local prices, with Tosyali's July acquisition, the former Bastug steelworks, currently operating at 75pc capacity, or 3,000 t/d, according to local sources. There could be further consolidations and also an idling of capacity in the Turkish market in the coming months, as smaller companies struggle against tepid demand and elevated costs. Tosyali is considering making a bid for Izmir-based longs producer Ege Celik, market sources said. The export market will continue to be a challenge for Turkish suppliers this year, as it has been for the past few years, and Trump's return to office is set to push the world towards more trade barriers. The Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, approved by the Israeli parliament today, could lead to an outlet for Turkish steel, as the Turkish government is expected to quietly allow companies to export to Israel again if fighting does not resume. Before the conflict broke out, Israel was a major destination for Turkish rebar. The Turkish trade ministry today said it will meet with Syrian representatives next week to pursue a free trade deal, following the new Syrian government's decision to raise import tariffs steeply with immediate effect, with duties on some commodities increasing fourfold. If the higher tariffs remain in place, it could significantly dent southern Turkish rebar producers' hopes of selling large volumes to Syria from later this year onwards as the country starts to rebuild following several years of civil war. Overall, Turkish mills will be more reliant on export opportunities this year than in 2024, with much ultimately depending on the extent to which Chinese exports continue to pressure the global steel market. The International Rebar Exporters' Association today said its hopes for a real resurgence in Chinese domestic steel demand were muted, implying that Chinese export volumes are likely to remain elevated after hitting record levels in 2024. By Brendan Kjellberg-Motton Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

Port of Liverpool to hike steel handling, storage fees

17/01/25

News

17/01/25

Port of Liverpool to hike steel handling, storage fees

London, 17 January (Argus) — UK port operator Peel Ports will increase steel handling and storage fees at the Port of Liverpool from 1 April, multiple market sources told Argus today. The port cited an increase of around 10pc in its operational expenditure, alongside some other drivers, for the hike. The port said it has invested in two new indoor storage sheds exclusively for steel and metals, in addition to its existing two sheds, nine and ten, and that it remains committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2040. Storage rates for coil are increasing by around 10-20pc, sources surveyed by Argus said. The fee paid by trading firms, which drive the increase in volume into Liverpool, varies depending on the amount they take into the port — larger traders with higher volumes secure cheaper rates, while smaller trading firms face higher fees, to the chagrin of new entrants. Those paying lower prices will see a 20pc increase from April, while those with higher prices will have a 10pc rise. Some will be paying over £9/t for coil handling after the increase, at a time of depressed margins for the whole of the supply chain. Those paying over £9/t would be paying the Port of Bristol around £7/t, and less at Newport. Liverpool offers four weeks of free storage before quay rental charges kick in. Those will rise to £1/t per week for some. Other ports offer eight weeks of free storage. "As a responsible business we always aim to achieve the right balance of providing competitive rates to reinvest in our facilities. Our charges reflect the multiple pressures the business is experiencing, such as higher inflation and changes to the fiscal regime including National Insurance, business rates and vehicle taxes," a Port of Liverpool spokesperson said. By Colin Richardson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

Ingevity mulls performance chemicals, CTO refinery sale

17/01/25

News

17/01/25

Ingevity mulls performance chemicals, CTO refinery sale

London, 17 January (Argus) — US-based specialty chemicals producer Ingevity is considering the sale of its performance chemical industrial specialties product line and its crude tall oil (CTO) refinery in North Charleston, South Carolina. Industrial specialties go into the paper chemical, rubber, adhesive, oilfield and lubricants markets. A secondary refinery at the North Charleston manufacturing plant, which has capabilities to refine CTO and oleochemicals, is not included in the review, the company told Argus . Nor is its performance chemicals road technologies product line, nor certain lignin-based products reported in the company's specialty product line. Ingevity said exiting most of its specialties product line will help it focus on higher margin and growth opportunities, but added said it cannot assure the process will result in a transaction. The company expects to communicate further plans before year-end, but does not intend to disclose additional developments until it is determined that disclosure is appropriate. Market participants told Argus the announcement opens up opportunities for either a new or an existing pine chemicals company seeking to operate in the US market. One said flexibility into the potential terms of a deal would probably help Ingevity find a buyer. But uncertainties over agreements with other service providers would make a deal more complex, another said. The closure of Ingevity's CTO fractionation sites in DeRidder , Louisiana, in 2024, and the conversion of a facility in Crossett ,Arkansas, in 2023 to run 100pc on non-tall oil fatty acids cut US CTO refining capacity by 30pc or 300,000t, sources have estimated. The measures also led to reduced domestic CTO consumption into fractionation and local tall oil fatty acids (TOFA) supply for the lower-rosin grades, sources said. TOFA is a fraction obtained by the distilling of CTO feedstock. By Leonardo Siqueira Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more