FOB US Gulf
US Gulf Coast reference hub for dry bulk / formed granular sulfur exports from Gulf Coast refineries and forming sites, and a basis comparator for Vancouver Pacific FOB. Louisiana and Texas dominate US recovered elemental sulfur production. The hub also sits beside a large molten domestic market serving Florida phosphate and other industrial buyers.
Linked indices: SR-GULF-FOB-G, SR-GULF-FOB
Products: formed granular, molten domestic adjacent
Inland logistics: Recovered sulfur from Gulf Coast refineries and gas plants. Some producers lack solid-export forming and remain tied to molten domestic deliveries.
Terminals
- US Gulf Coast dry bulk export terminals (multiple) (Louisiana / Texas Gulf): Export capability varies by producer; Brazil historically a major destination for US dry bulk sulfur.
2021–2026 by year
- 2021: US elemental sulfur production recovered unevenly: February freeze and Hurricanes Ida/Nicholas cut Gulf refining/sulfur output mid-year (USGS MCS). Canada remained the dominant US elemental sulfur import source. Tampa molten contracts rose from ~$69/lt into the $180s.
- 2022: High volatility year. Spot USGC FOB swung in a greater-than-$440/t range over six months per Argus. USGS: Jan–Sep US sulfur output +9% y/y to 5.98 Mt; Gulf Coast +12%. Average US sulfur export unit values peaked near $287/t before demand softened. Vancouver competed for Pacific demand.
- 2023: Gulf surplus weighed on dry bulk FOB as refinery utilization stayed high and phosphate demand softened. Argus USGC dry bulk midpoint cited near $62.50/t by late June. US export volumes rose while unit values fell sharply versus 2022. Brazil port maintenance limited a key outlet.
- 2024: USGS estimated US sulfur production and shipments each ~5% below 2023. Tampa contracts began at $69/lt and ended Q4 at $116/lt. Gulf remained the Atlantic/Americas dry bulk comparator to Vancouver Pacific FOB.
- 2025: USGS MCS 2026: US elemental sulfur production about 7.6 Mt class context with Louisiana and Texas roughly half of domestic output. Canada remained a major elemental import source. Tampa contracts climbed from $116/lt toward $310/lt by early October (highest since Q2 2022 in USGS narrative).
- 2026: Middle East logistics disruptions pushed spot US Gulf refinery export indications far above Tampa molten contracts. Argus: Gulf cargoes reached unusual North/East Africa destinations. Platts Americas sulfur assessments updated (subscriber notes). Vancouver–Gulf basis remained the Pacific vs Atlantic netback check. Some Gulf producers without solid-export kit stayed molten-domestic dependent.
Recent notes
- USGS estimated US elemental sulfur production about 7.6 Mt in 2025, with Louisiana and Texas roughly half of domestic output. Canada remains a major source of US elemental sulfur imports. source
- Platts launched/updated Americas sulfur assessments including FOB US Gulf dry bulk context around April 2026 (subscriber methodology notes). Platform code SR-GULF-FOB-G maps to that Gulf granular FOB family. source
- In mid-2026, Argus reported spot US Gulf refinery export indications far above Tampa molten contract levels during Middle East supply constraints, while some Gulf producers without solid-export kit stayed dependent on domestic molten demand. source
- Vancouver–Gulf basis is a useful Pacific vs Atlantic netback check for Canadian exporters when both hubs publish transparent dry bulk FOB indications. source