Mosaic's output unaffected by act of vandalism

20 November 2007 15:45  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (ICIS news)--Output of phosphate fertilizer has been unaffected at Mosaic’s New Wales facility in Florida, following vandalism to an ammonia feedstock pipeline, sources at the company confirmed on Tuesday.

 

Three youths drilled a hole into the pipeline, which supplies ammonia from the port of Tampa to the 3.9m tonne/year diammonium phosphate (DAP) and monammonium phosphate (MAP) fertilizer facility, on 12 November.

 

However, the leak was subsequently repaired and the line returned to service. Some sources said that the residual line pack (pressure within the pipe required to facilitate the flow of gas) needed 36 hours to burn off before workers could make the repairs.

 

Reports that the phosphates plant was already down for maintenance were denied by Mosaic, which confirmed that there were no planned shutdowns in effect at the time. 

 

Earlier rumours of a possible curtailment in DAP/MAP supply had a significant firming effect on an already bullish domestic DAP market, with prices for spot barges of DAP rising from $452-454/short ton FOB (free on board) NOLA (New Orleans) to $460/short ton over the course of last week.

 

Mosaic is the world’s largest DAP/MAP producer, with a capacity of 9.4m tonnes/year at its facilities in Florida and Louisiana.

 

Brian McIntyre contributed to this story

 

By: Mike Nash
+44 20 8652 3214

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