LaycanDeskSulphur freight to Morocco - Vancouver and the US Gulf to Jorf Lasfar and Safi
Formed sulphur from the Canadian west coast and the US Gulf to OCP's phosphoric acid complexes on Supramax and Panamax tonnage, routed by Panama or the Cape. Morocco took 51 percent of its 2025 sulphur imports from inside the Gulf (UN Comtrade), and the Strait of Hormuz has been severely restricted since 28 February 2026: about 280,000 tonnes a month to replace for OCP's acid plants at Jorf Lasfar and Safi. North America is the open supply. The desk works the lane on the load terminal, the Panama draft and slot against the Cape, and the screw unloaders at Jorf Lasfar.
OCP burns imported sulphur to make the sulphuric acid that turns phosphate rock into phosphoric acid, DAP and MAP, and Morocco is the largest sulphur importer after China, with a record 8.3 million tonnes in 2024. In 2025 the UAE supplied 35 percent of its imports, Saudi Arabia 12 percent and Qatar and Kuwait about 2 percent each (UN Comtrade); OCP's last cargo from inside the Gulf discharged at Jorf Lasfar on 10 April 2026. Canada exported 3.61 million tonnes and the United States 1.84 million tonnes of sulphur in 2024, almost none of it to Morocco: US shipments stayed under 100,000 tonnes in 2025 and Canada declared none. That is the lane to build. Vancouver handled 3.5 million tonnes of sulphur in 2025, most of it formed at Pacific Coast Terminals in Port Moody, whose berth 2 loads ships from 12,000 tonnes to Panamax, 240 metres long and 13 metres alongside; the US Gulf ships formed sulphur from the refineries at prices that reached USD 1,100 to 1,150 a tonne FOB in July 2026. North American tonnes were reaching North Africa by the second quarter.
Vancouver to Jorf Lasfar is a Panama Canal voyage or a Cape Horn one. In 2026 the canal is the constraint: the Neopanamax draught was cut from 15.2 to 14.3 metres from July, daily transits fell to 32 by 15 September, and bulker transits are down 22 percent on the year, so owners quote both routings and charterers decide on the laycan. Jorf Lasfar's quays work up to 15.6 metres, 310 metres length and 120,000 dwt, with two screw unloaders for sulphur; Safi's sulphur and acid basin works 8.5 to 12 metres, so a Supramax or a part-laden Panamax goes there. Sulphur is a Group C cargo that is corrosive when wet and carries a dust and fire risk, so holds are cleaned and limed and the cargo is trimmed and kept dry. Charterers send the producer and load terminal, quantity and tolerance, discharge port and berth, rates and laytime terms, the routing accepted, laycan, commission and the charterer's name. Besides Vancouver and the US Gulf, the desk works the shorter European voyages: Poland and Spain each supplied about 2 percent of Morocco's sulphur in 2025 (UN Comtrade), on the same Handysize and Supramax tonnage.
Load terminals
- Pacific Coast Terminals, Port Moody, Vancouver (berth 2: 12,000 t to Panamax, LOA to 240 m, 13 m alongside)
- Vancouver: 3.5 Mt of sulphur handled in 2025
- US Gulf refineries, formed sulphur; FOB USD 1,100–1,150/t on 9 July 2026
- Canada 3.61 Mt and USA 1.84 Mt exported in 2024 (UN Comtrade)
Discharge ports
- Jorf Lasfar (OCP; quays to 15.6 m, LOA 310 m, 120,000 dwt; two sulphur screw unloaders)
- Safi (OCP; basin 3 for sulphur and acid, 8.5–12 m)
- Morocco 2025: 51% of sulphur imports from inside the Gulf (UN Comtrade); record 8.3 Mt imported in 2024
- About 280,000 t a month to replace
Typical parcels
- Supramax and Ultramax 45,000–60,000 t
- Panamax 65,000–75,000 t into Jorf Lasfar
- Panama Neopanamax draught 14.3 m since July 2026; Cape as the alternative
- IMSBC Group C; holds cleaned and limed, cargo kept dry
Ships that carry it
The cargo itself, on Commbril
The cargo from the freight side
Questions charterers and owners ask
Panama or the Cape from Vancouver?
It depends on the month. Since July 2026 the Neopanamax draught has been cut from 15.2 to 14.3 metres and daily transits to 32, and bulker transits are down 22 percent on the year, so a slot is not guaranteed. A Supramax that clears the draught saves the long way round; a deep Panamax or a ship without a slot goes round Cape Horn or the Cape of Good Hope. We ask owners to quote both and the laycan decides.
Which port, Jorf Lasfar or Safi?
Jorf Lasfar takes the larger ship: quays to 15.6 metres, 310 metres and 120,000 dwt, with two screw unloaders for sulphur. Safi's sulphur and acid basin works 8.5 to 12 metres, so it suits a Supramax or a part cargo. OCP nominates the berth; the charterer passes it to us with the stem.
Which origins does the desk work for Morocco?
Vancouver and the US Gulf for the volume, and the shorter European voyages: Poland and Spain each supplied about 2 percent of Morocco's sulphur in 2025 (UN Comtrade). North American tonnes were reaching North Africa by the second quarter of 2026. Tell us the producer and the load terminal and we look for the ship that suits the routing.
What must I send to get a named ship?
Producer and load terminal, quantity and tolerance, discharge port and berth, load and discharge rates with laytime terms, the routing you accept, laycan, commission and the charterer's name. Supramax and Panamax owners opening on the US west coast, the US Gulf or in the Atlantic send name, IMO number, dwt, draft, open port and dates to desk-a005f1@in.laycandesk.com.