Americas top stories: weekly summary

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News from the week ended 1 September.

LOGISTICS: Union dockworkers OK new deal; Asia-US container rates rise; Panama Canal restrictions to persist

Rates for shipping containers from east Asia and China to the US rose again this week, restrictions for passing through the Panama Canal because of the low water levels are expected to remain in place for the next 10 months and unionised dockworkers officially ratified the new labour agreement, all of which highlight this week’s logistics roundup.

INSIGHT: Hurricane Idalia marks peak of hurricane season

With Hurricane Idalia marking the height of the hurricane season, refiners and petrochemical producers are staring at the prospects of a year’s worth of weather disruptions, following the shutdowns this past winter and challenges caused by the heat this summer.

EO derivatives assess long-term supply impacts of fire at Dow’s Louisiana site

Following a recent deflagration at Dow’s Plaquemine, Louisiana, ethylene oxide (EO) unit, market participants in downstream markets including ethylene glycols (EG) and ethanolamines continue to seek the best plan of action, including focusing on imports, to cope with the potentially long-term supply disruptions as a result of the incident.

Court orders US Olin to supply Odyssey with bleach in contract dispute

A US court ordered Olin to supply Odyssey Manufacturing with HyPure bleach while the two companies proceed with a lawsuit over their supply contract.

IPEX: Global weekly spot IPEX up on higher chemical prices across all regions

The global spot ICIS Petrochemical Index (IPEX) increased 1.2% in the week to 25 August, on the back of stronger prices across all regions, not least northwest Europe.

Brazil reinstates tax break for chemicals, incentivises natgas-based fertilizers plants

The Brazilian government has reinstated a tax break for the chemicals industry after intense lobbying from the sector.