China Boosts Australian Coal Imports
Chinese utilities and traders have stepped up purchases of Australian coal in February, encouraged by signs of further policy relaxation after trade partially resumed last month following a two-year hiatus.In early January, Beijing gave permission to four government-backed firms, comprising steel giant Baowu Group and three state utilities, to ship in Australian coal, the first sign of an easing of the unofficial import ban in place since late 2020. The ban was imposed after relations…
Turkish Steel Giant in Logistics Pact with MOL
Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has signed a memorandum of agreement with Turkish steel producer Tosyali Holding A.S.A joint press release said that the agreement is to begin the research toward a strategic partnership, and in this respect signed a memorandum of agreement in the presence of Dr. Hasan Murat Mercan, Turkish Ambassador to Japan, at the Turkish Embassy in Tokyo on August 30.The companies will study the possibility of a partnership in the transport of raw materials and steel products in Tosyalı's production networks in Turkey and overseas, building a port in southeastern Turkey and further cooperation on new Tosyalı business ventures.Tosyalı is a major Turkish steel company…
Posco Seeks Partner for Bid
Doosan Group pulled out of the bidding for Daewoo Shipbuilding, driving down shares of one of the world's biggest shipyards. South Korean steel maker Posco was reportedly seeking partners to bid for Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering in a deal that would value the shipbuilder at as much as $9.6b. Shares in Doosan Group companies rose after it said it would not bid for Daewoo, easing concerns over the financial health of the conglomerate, which has made a series of acquisitions including last year's $4.9 billion cash deal for the U.S.-based Bobcat machinery business. Posco, a steel giant and a strong candidate for the Daewoo deal, wants to join with a financial firm and 's National Pension Service to bid for Daewoo Shipbuilding, said a person with direct knowledge of the situation.
Vinashin Scraps $1b Contract
The State-owned Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (Vinashin) has decided to scrap plans to invest $1 billion in a $5 billion steel mill joint venture with 's POSCO, as part of the government efforts to curb rising inflation. The planned POSCO-Vinashin Steel Complex, located on a 970 hectares area of land in the central province of Khanh Hoa's Van Phong Bay, formed part of the Asian steel giant's ambitious goal to link a `steel belt'' from its home-turf, India, China and Vietnam. Source: Korea Times
Goldman Sachs to Handle Daewoo Sale
Goldman Sachs was picked to manage the sale of Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co Ltd., according to a Reuters report, kicking off a deal expected to attract in excess of $4b. The sale is poised to become the biggest M&A transaction in South Korea this year, as the state-run Korea Development Bank (KDB) and other banks are putting up their 50.4 percent stake in the world's third-largest shipbuilder. The deal has reportedly drawn interest from a number of Korean companies, including steel giant POSCO.
