Handysize 38kt Time Charter Average FFA is 'Perfect Timing'
Forward freight agreement (FFA) trades for a basket of 38,000-dwt handysize time charter rates will help operators take longer-term cover with less risk, says shipbroker Simpson Spence Young.Following an ever-strengthening charter market, SGX have confirmed a launch date for the new offering as April 19, 2021, with EEX aiming for early May pending regulatory approval. Both exchanges are keen to promote clearing of the new contract.The handysize futures market was previously based on the Baltic Exchange's old 28…
44 Hanjin Ships Denied Access to Ports
Some 44 of Hanjin Shipping Co Ltd's ships have been so far denied access to ports while 1 ship has been seized, Reuters reports quoting a company spokeswoman. The 44 ships include instances where port service providers such as lashing firms have denied service, or port authorities are denying entry to ports. Hanjin operates 98 container ships. With South Korea's biggest shipping company filing for bankruptcy protection, the vessels, sailors and cargo of Hanjin Shipping are stuck in limbo, stranded at sea, reports BBC. Ports, fearing they will not get paid, refuse to let them dock or unload. That means the ships are forced to wait for Hanjin, its creditors or partners to find a solution.
Container Blood Bath: Freight Rates Hit New Lows
The World Container Index’s composite index, an average of spot freight rates on 11 global East-West routes connecting Asia, Europe and the US, reached a record low of US$701 per 40-foot container on March 10, says Drewry Shipping Consultants. This was the lowest reading since the World Container Index (WCI) starting tracking weekly transatlantic, transpacific and Asia-Europe rates in June 2011. “The World Container Index’s composite index is now 60% lower than the average of the past 5 years and has decreased by 62% in the past year,” said Richard Heath, director of WCI. Jonathan Chappell, an analyst at Evercore ISI in New York says that there’s been an arms race in building bigger and bigger ships and they’re coming at a time the economy is slowing.
Guide to Index-Linked Container Contracts Launched
Drewry and the World Container Index have published a White Paper that explains how index-linked contracts work, the first definitive guide on the subject since widespread adoption commenced two years ago. The White Paper, which is FREE to download from Drewry’s web site, examines the causes of recent container freight rate volatility and how index-linked contracts can help mitigate the impacts of such instability. It explains how these new contracting arrangements work with reference to current models in use and summarises the extent of industry adoption thus far. “This White Paper is a must read for any organisation considering the use of index-linked contracts,” said Drewry’s freight rate research manager Martin Dixon.
WCI Backhaul Routes Listed for Clearing
Major boost for swaps liquidity as WCI backhaul routes are listed for clearing. Introduction of clearing for new Europe-Asia routes will bring significant additional trading potential to container derivatives market. The World Container Index is pleased to announce that two WCI route assessments, covering Los Angeles to Shanghai and Rotterdam to Shanghai will now be cleared by LCH.Clearnet. The addition of clearing, which provides risk management for over-the-counter container freight swap trades, has been made in response to increased demand to manage freight price risk and reflects the growing market acceptance of the WCI. Since launch in September 2011…
