TRADE AND COMMODITIES

South China thermal coal demand prods Pacific rates

RISING demand from south China for imported thermal coal boosted the Pacific supramax market last week, with rates set to rise further as the winter season continues.

ExxonMobil awards PNG marine contracts

Partners in the Papua New Guinea liquefied natural gas project have started handing out contracts for the marine work on the new LNG export terminal, just a day after making the decision to invest US$15bn in the development.

Hunter coal plan cleared

THE AUSTRALIAN Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) last week formalised its support for a capacity system being introduced in the Hunter coal chain from January.

DI could jump 15% in 2010

THE BALTIC Dry Index, the main measure of commodity shipping costs, may jump 15% next year, aided by a recovering global economy, according to STX Pan Ocean.