Freight Rate

Index-Linked Container Contracts Take-Off

Half of all index-linked contracts filed with the US Federal Maritime Commission reference Drewry’s Container Freight Rate Insight pricing benchmarks.   Drewry Maritime Research’s container freight rate benchmarks are the index of choice in index-linked container contracts, according to the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). The agency also indicated that uptake of index-linked container contracts on US trades was fast growing. Index-linked contracts allow freight rates to be adjusted during the life of the agreement by reference to an external, independent market price index.   Speaking at the Container Freight Derivatives Association’s (CFDA) Global Container Freight Forum in London last month, FMC chief of staff Lowry Crook said that over 50 index-linked contracts had been filed with its organisation this year. Many more are expected to be filed in the upcoming contracting season. “Of the roughly 50 service contracts filed with the FMC that reference freight indices, nearly half refer to Drewry’s index,” confirmed Crook. These benchmarks are published monthly and online in Drewry’s Container Freight Rate Insight. The FMC has a good knowledge of shipping agreements as all carrier-shipper service contracts covering US trades must be filed with the agency by law.  

Rapid Panamax Expansion Affects Freight Rates

A fast expansion of the fleet in the panamax sector has outpaced trade and affected freight rates, shipbrokers on Monday. "Panamax freight rates are not weaker due to falling demand, but rather because the fleet is growing faster than trade," a broker said. Rates quoted on the Baltic Panamax Index reflected a negative trend across the board, with average daily rates for transatlantic round voyages and fronthaul charter starting to ease back, brokers said.

Enterprise Shipholding Rating Downgraded To B2 From Ba3

Moody's Investors Service downgraded its rating for the senior notes of Enterprises Shipholding Corp. to B2 from Ba3. The downgrade reflects Moody's expectation that the pressure on freight rates will continue to build beyond the normal level of seasonality, especially in the light of substantial excess capacities in the reefer industry. In addition, management faces the challenge of allocating operating cash flow and balance sheet liquidity between operating requirements

MISC Sees Soft Shipping Rates Ahead

MISC Bhd expects freight rates for crude oil to remain soft over the next two years as competitors put more new tankers to sea. MISC earns 90% of its profits from shipping oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG). A subsidiary of Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), the world's largest carrier of LNG. LNG is shipped under long-term contracts, but MISC still faces significant exposure to oil freight rates, with crude oil tankers accounting for 40% of its profits.

P&O Nedlloyd 4Q Results

P&O Nedlloyd announced that it achieved an operating profit of $84 million in 4Q 2003, compared with an operating loss of $49 million in 4Q 2002. Driving the improved performance: average freight rates increased 16 percent over 2002, and volumes shipped were up 5 percent. Commenting on the future, the company sees a favorable trend in freight rates, and provided trade growth continues as in 2003, the outlook for the container shipping industry remains positive for 2004 although cost

Drewry to Launch World Container Index

Drewry Shipping Consultants and The Cleartrade Exchange have announced that the World Container Index (WCI), the first Europe-based assessment of container freight rates and index production, is scheduled for launch in September 2011. The index will provide a new and important facility for the global market to hedge their freight rate risk and see major improvements in forward price discovery through the container derivatives market.

Varun Shipping to Invest $300m

Varun Shipping reportedly will invest $300m to buy at least four new vessels in the offshore segment this year, according to a Reuters report. Varun is positioning itself to expand its presence in the offshore segment, the news organization said, quoting a leading Varun executive. Freight rates in the offshore segment has risen around 15 percent due to higher crude oil prices, which hit new life highs in 2008, crossing $120 a barrel on demand growth

Tanker Rates Surge

The rate for Suexmax vessels has jumped by 53% from $52,866 to $81,073 and that of Aframax vessels by 40% from $31,060 to $43,528 during the period. To capitalise on high freight rates, Indian shipping lines like Shipping Corporation of India, Great Eastern Shipping and Mercator Lines are planning to expand their fleet size. Shipping Corporation of India is planning to invest around Rs 350 crore in the next two years to acquire new vessels while Great Eastern Shipping is expected to

Asian Shipping Stocks Poised for Gains

According to a Jan. 6 report from MarketWatch, as freight rates continue to recover and with demand for shipping expected to climb, shares of Asian shippers and shipbuilders are starting the year out trading broadly higher. Investors appeared to agree, lifting shares of major shipping stocks in the region. (Source: www.marketwatch.com)

China Shipyards Slash Prices to Survive

Chinese shipyards offer to sell vessels at discounts of more than 20 percent to compete with Asian rivals Reuters report that rock bottom freight rates, slowing economic growth and an oversupply of ships have forced maritime firms to cancel or delay hundreds of new orders, leaving yards especially in China with unwanted vessels for sale. As many as half of China's 1,600 shipbuilding companies are expected to go bankrupt or be acquired by larger rivals in the next two to three years and