Platts launches CFR South China, CFR China River Sulfur assessments; refines CFR China Sulfur assessment Jan 9

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, has implemented changes to its suite of CFR China sulfur assessments, effective Jan. 9, 2025.

The changes refine the methodology and add granularity to Platts Sulfur coverage in the China region.

Platts proposal (opens in a new tab)to launch the prices was published on Nov. 1 and a decision (opens in a new tab)was published on Nov. 21

The changes are summarized below, followed by detailed explanations.

1. Launch of CFR China River and CFR South China sulfur assessments

2. Change in methodology for CFR China (spot, granular) weekly range assessment (FSSCD04)

3. Change in methodology for CFR China (molten) assessment ( AGRND00)

4. Change in methodology for CFR China (molten, crushed, granular) (FSSCC04)

Change in methodology for CFR China (spot, granular) weekly range assessment (FSSCD04)

Platts has launched two weekly single-number sulfur assessments, CFR China River and CFR South China, effective Jan. 9, 2025.

Detailed specifications for the new assessments are as follows:

Information regarding different location, cargo size and timing may be considered and normalized, where necessary, to align with the standard specifications listed above.

Change in methodology for CFR China (spot, granular) weekly range assessment (FSSCD04)

Simultaneously, Platts has changed the methodology for its existing granular sulfur CFR China weekly range assessment, effective Jan. 9, 2025. The assessment would reflect the granular sulfur CFR China price, with the range derived from the two new assessments outlined above rather than being assessed in its own right. No other market information will be taken into account.

For example, if CFR China South is assessed at $105/mt and CFR China River at $108/mt on a given date, then Sulfur CFR China will be calculated as a range of $105-$108/mt.

Change in methodology for CFR China (molten) assessment (AGRND00)

Additionally, Platts has refined the methodology for its molten sulfur CFR China weekly range assessment, effective Jan. 9, 2025.

Detailed specifications for the proposed change in molten sulfur assessment (AGRND00) are as follows:

Information regarding different location, cargo size and timing may be considered and normalized, where necessary, to align with the standard specifications listed above.

Change in methodology for CFR China (molten, crushed, granular) (FSSCC04)

Platts has also removed the crushed lump component in the existing Sulfur CFR China (molten, crushed, granular) (FSSCC04). Following this change, this weekly range assessment will no longer be assessed in its own right, but instead will always reflect the highest and lowest from:

1. The new Granular Sulfur FOB China River assessment
2. The new Granular Sulfur FOB China South assessment
3. The Molten Sulfur CFR China (Lianyungang) outlined above (AGRND00)

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