NewsFlashGeneral Chemical in soda ash FM

19 June 2008 17:35  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--US soda ash producer General Chemical Industrial Products said on Thursday the floods in the midwest have forced it to declare force majeure (FM) for all its rail car shipments.

The company said FM declared by Union Pacific and other railroads have slowed soda ash shipments from its plant in Green River, Wyoming, and the return of empty railcars for reloading.

This month’s severe flooding, which has resulted in 24 deaths and untold amounts of property damage, has made it impossible to establish a timetable for the FM, the company said.

General Chemical will also implement a sales allocation for all of its North American soda ash rail-to-truck terminal locations based on shipments made between January and May 2008, terminal inventories and projected inbound railcar delivery schedules, the company said.

It was yet unclear how the inclement weather was affecting fellow Wyoming-based soda ash producers FMC, Solvay and OCI.

American Natural Soda Ash Corporation (ANSAC), the exporting arm of the US soda ash industry, is still reeling under the FM it called in February after severe snowstorms damaged rail lines leading to deep sea ports.

($1=€0.64)

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By: Ben Lefebvre
+1 713 525 2653

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