Bridge collapse disrupts Baltimore UAN imports

UAN distributors near Baltimore, Maryland, are holding off from issuing new offers until it becomes clearer when the port there will reopen following its closure from a major bridge collapse.

There is limited spot availability for UAN in Baltimore, market participants told Argus. At least one UAN vessel was due to arrive in Baltimore in April. Vessels delivering to Baltimore could be diverted elsewhere, possibly to ports like Chesapeake, Virginia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, or Wilmington, North Carolina.

The east coast terminal UAN price — encompassing the US eastern seaboard — has risen by 13pc since the beginning of the year because of seasonal demand to $300/st fot on 29 February, where the price has held since.

When offers for UAN in Baltimore do re-surface they will likely do so at higher levels because of restricted supply to the port.

By Calder Jett