Clay

• IMSBC Code amendment 05-19
• IMSBC Code group C

China’s aim of 7.5% GDP growth for 2014 is positive news for the shipping market – in particular, dry bulk

“The importance of China to the shipping market is second to none. This goes for all major shipping segments. In spite of leaving the double-digit growth rates behind us in the previous decade, the sheer size of the world’s second-largest economy now gives so much impetus to our industry that we have become addicted to China.”

• Market analysis

China's steel output hits record, but dry bulk market still suffers

Strong data from China support Capesize bulkers the most, as general market conditions slowly improve

• Market analysis

Is China’s steel exports enough to support the freight market?

No, it’s not enough, you will need lower Chinese iron ore production too in order to keep growing imports of iron ore into China that will support the dry bulk freight market.

• Market analysis
• Dry cargo
• 2015

No US Crude oil exports to China for second month in a row

For the seventh month in a row total US crude oil exports excluding china hit a new all-time high reaching 7.9 million tonnes in September.

• Market analysis
• Macro
• Tanker

Macro Economics: Demand supported by EU and US while China is creating uncertainty

All eyes are on China in recent months as most other non-Chinese economic indicators have been dwarfed by the government’s actions and markets’ reactions. It is all of the things that we don’t know about the Chinese economy that is worrying, not the fact that the economy is in a transition phase which inevitably will drive down GDP growth and change import and export patterns.

• Market analysis
• Macro
• 2015

China’s manufacturing sector is struggling to keep up pace

Data released today on the condition of the Chinese manufacturing sector points towards weaker business conditions. HSBC/Markit China Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is coming down from a seven-months high in February ...

• Market analysis
• Container
• 2015

Dry Bulk Shipping - The haunted dry bulk sector awaits positive demand impact from China and is beaten by supply growth in record territory.

The dry bulk market is under immense pressure, as the retreating weight of China as the driver of the market is extensively felt. At a time when supply growth simply breaks new mind-blowing delivery records, the demand situation is pitching in a bit too. Currently, there are reports of Chinese customers in the steel industry that are refusing to honour their contract as prices drop, and stock piles are fuller than normal at a time when steel mills take their foot off the throttle following a red-hot production period in recent months.

• Market analysis
• Dry cargo

Key China indicator reveals sharp slowdown in industrial activity

The slowdown in Chinese industrial production growth ads to the existing concerns that China is going through challenging times, as Beijing aims for a soft landing and a transition of the economy.

• Market analysis

The People’s Bank of China initiates economic counterstrike

The People’s Bank of China has quietly initiated a monetary counterstrike as the number of weak macroeconomic indicators mount. “From a shipping perspective, the news emerging from China is comforting".

• Market analysis