Guy Campbell News

The Baltic Exchange board has unanimously backed a takeover bid from Singapore Exchange Ltd , a deal that will give SGX access to a trading platform for the multi-billion dollar freight derivatives market. On Aug. 4, SGX offered shareholders in London's privately owned Baltic Exchange 160.41 pounds in cash per share, for a total 77.6 million pounds ($102 million), and urged them to back the deal. The exchanges have agreed on the terms of the SGX offer, they said in a joint statement on Monday. "The proposed acquisition will accelerate the growth and development of the Baltic Exchange beyond what it could achieve on its own," Baltic Exchange Chairman Guy Campbell said.

Baltic Exchange privately owned by 380 shareholders. The Singapore Exchange (SGX) is in exclusive talks to buy London's Baltic Exchange, which has been at the heart of the global shipping industry for centuries, the two companies said on Wednesday. Founded in 1744, the Baltic Exchange is no longer a forum for chartering vessels but owns benchmark indexes for global shipping rates and provides a trading platform for the multi-billion dollar freight derivatives market. The takeover talks come as the global shipping industry grapples with the worst market conditions for decades after a slump in commodity markets coincided with an increase in the number of vessels, sending freight costs to record lows.

Talks between the Baltic Exchange and a number of suitors are continuing, but any potential buyer of the business will have to provide assurances that its central role in shipping will not be "undermined", the Baltic's chairman said on Wednesday. On Feb. 26 the privately held Baltic Exchange confirmed it had received a number of "exploratory approaches" after the Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX) said it was seeking to buy the business. Both statements came a day after Reuters reported the Baltic had held talks with SGX and other potential buyers including CME Group, ICE and Platts. Sources had estimated the Baltic's valuation was $120 million.

Baltic says holding discussions with several parties. The Baltic Exchange confirmed on Friday it had received a number of "exploratory approaches" after the Singapore Exchange Ltd revealed it was seeking to buy the business which has been the hub of the global shipping market for centuries. Reuters exclusively reported on Thursday that the Baltic Exchange had held talks with SGX and other potential buyers, months after sources had said the London Metals Exchange (LME) made an approach to buy it. "The Baltic Exchange confirms that it has received a number of exploratory approaches and that it is now in confidential discussions with selected third parties regarding its future strategy and ownership," it said in a statement.

Guy Campbell of the China Navigation Company has been appointed by the Baltic Exchange Board of Directors as Chairman for a two year term of office. He replaces Quentin Soanes who served as Chairman from 2012. Guy Campbell, FIFC, MCIArb is aged 47 and began his shipping career at shipbroker JE Hyde & Co Ltd in 1990. A dry cargo specialist, he became a Baltic Exchange member in 1991, remained at JE Hyde for seven years before joining Koch Industries, where he spent 10 years as a chartering manager and eventual Director, Ocean Freight for Koch Carbon LLC. After six years as Dry Cargo Managing Director at shipbroker Clarksons, he now works for The China Navigation Company, the deep sea ship owning and operating arm of the Swire Group.

The Baltic Exchange advises panellists that with the prevalence of 'slow steaming' they should assume that if steaming at 12kts laden/13kts ballast, Capesize vessels will consume 44 tonnes per day (NDAS). The London market exchange has provided its shipbroker panel members with further guidance on the way in which they assess the capesize market. The move has followed extensive market consultation and reflects the need for greater precision on the slow steaming characteristics of the Baltic capesize vessel type. “This guidance does not imply any change to the index definition.