Inola barge backlog grows amid lock repairs

: Fertilizers
14/09/09

The number of dry bulk fertilizer barges awaiting transport to the Inola/Catoosa, Oklahoma, distribution hub continues to grow as repairs wrap up on the WD Mayo Lock at mile marker 320 on the Arkansas river.

Nearly 30 urea barges, equivalent to more than three-quarters of a panamax, are now fleeted southwest of the lock waiting for the waterway to reopen following a major construction project at the lock, according to market participants.

The WD Mayo Lock's repairs, which began 25 August, took over two years of planning. The lock is being dewatered and the pintle balls replaced, according to the Tulsa District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. Crews are also taking advantage of the dewatering for repainting and other maintenance. Repairs are on track to conclude on schedule on 14 September.

Prompt urea warehouse prices at Inola/Catoosa are discussed in the $415-$425/st fot range, with product moving at a steady clip to fill dealer inventory ahead of fall wheat applications. To a lesser degree, pasture demand has also driven recent sales.

With the lock about to reopen and significant new supply expected to reach the Inola/Catoosa market, forward prices have converged with replacement costs. Urea for October and November loading is discussed around $400/st and $380/st fot, respectively.

me/tdf

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US-Belarus potash trade may soften MOP pricing outlook

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US-Belarus potash trade may soften MOP pricing outlook

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