Ports in Texas and Louisiana remained closed to ship traffic Tuesday afternoon because of a winter storm.
Waterborne asphalt terminals were heard shut in southeast Louisiana and Texas, and some market participants expect terminals to remain closed through Wednesday. According to vessel tracking data from Kpler, no ocean-going asphalt vessels were seen loading in Texas or Louisiana today. No exports have been heard delayed.
Frigid temperatures have also halted liftings at the rack in areas across the Gulf following reports of slow retail demand earlier this month.
New Orleans port officials cut off water supplies to port facilities beginning 19 January because of freezing temperatures, significant snowfall and high winds forecast by the National Weather Service (NWS). Operations are expected to be down at least for the rest of today.
Marine pilots also suspended boardings at the Texas ports of Houston, Galveston, Texas City and Freeport late on 20 January. Traffic also was halted at the Sabine-Neches Waterway on the Texas-Louisiana border, which offers access to terminals and refineries in Port Arthur and Beaumont, Texas.
Port Houston facilities, which include eight public terminals on the Houston Ship Channel, will remain closed through Wednesday, according to a statement from port officials.
Arctic conditions are anticipated through Thursday, according to NWS. Travel will be hazardous due to the snow, ice and wind chill of up to 20mph.
Even as temperatures rise, retail demand could remain muted on the Gulf coast with NWS forecasting above-normal precipitation across the region starting 27 January.