Weight of Freight: VLGC troubles to persist through the rainy season at Panama Canal
Weight of Freight: VLGC troubles to persist through the rainy season at Panama Canal
As draught restrictions ease with the start of a much-awaited rainy season in the Panama Canal, difficulties are likely to persist for very large gas carriers (VLGCs) as other shipping markets move back to the route and escalate competition for transit slots.
Listen to Andres Pacheco, Analyst at the LPG Trading desk for Spain’s Repsol, and Yohanna Pinheiro, LPG Freight Market Reporter, discuss how increased competition to transit the Panama Canal and other market drivers will shape the costs of shipping LPG.
Listen now
Key topics covered
- Competitive advantages of the Panama Canal route in US-Asia routes for VLGCs
- Details of the Panama Canal booking system and slot auction price trends
- Effects of eased restrictions at the canal in heightening competition for slots among other markets
- Weather outlook and possible La Nina effects in the markets
- Long term projects to alleviate transits at Panama Canal
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Shipping industry still dislikes US port fees
Shipping industry still dislikes US port fees
New York, 20 May (Argus) — US port fees meant to target the Chinese maritime industry finalized by the US Trade Representative (USTR) in April are still facing backlash from market participants, even in what are supposed to be unrelated USTR proceedings. In public comments due by 19 May that were meant to be focused on new USTR proposals for tariffs on portside cranes , many shipping firms chose instead to continue voicing concerns about the port fees, which are aimed at penalizing owners and operators of Chinese-built vessels. Groups like the World Shipping Council (WSC) and the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) are asking the USTR to consider more feedback from industry before imposing the fees this fall, citing both the damage they could do to US commerce and confusion about the measures. "The [port] fees will increase costs for US consumers and exporters and introduce supply chain inefficiencies, all while failing to incentivize China to alter its acts, policies and practices," the WSC said in comments filed with USTR on 19 May, echoing many of the concerns raised by groups earlier this year to draft versions of the port fees. The finalized port fee plan is also unclear to many and has generated confusion in the international trade community, WSC said. The timing of the implementation for the fees is also unclear and needs to be clarified, said the CSA. Before Monday's hearing USTR said it would not address any aspect of the new fees — just the proposed crane tariffs. There were comments filed on the crane tariff proposal, including from the operators of the Port of Freeport, Texas, who noted the US needs significant time to develop its own domestic crane manufacturing industry. But many of the comments continued to address what appear to be finalized fees, set to go into effect in October. In one comment, food industry trade group The Meat Institute, said the finalized fees were an improvement over the earlier proposals, but they would still be costly to US businesses and consumers. The new fees "... would still impose punitive fees that will be passed directly to the American companies exporting perishable meat and poultry products, and ultimately spread across actors along the supply chain, including American consumers who will see prices on food to finished goods increase at a time when the Administration is working diligently to combat stubborn inflation," the Meat Institute said in its comments. By Charlotte Bawol Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Global dry bulk trade to contract in 2025: Star Bulk
Global dry bulk trade to contract in 2025: Star Bulk
New York, 15 May (Argus) — Dry bulk shipowner Star Bulk projects the total volume of global dry bulk volumes to fall by 1.2pc in 2025, largely due to lower global dry bulk exports to China Coal is projected to suffer the largest declines in global export volumes among major bulk commodities as China and India's domestic coal production growth is outpacing its consumption growth, creating downside risks for 2025 imports, according to Star Bulk. The global coal trade is expected to fall by 3.2pc on the year, down to 1.3bn t for 2025. China is also trying to increase its own grain productionand is "engaging in [genetically modified] crops" which will put downward pressure on its seaborne grain imports, according to Star Bulk. The global grain trade is projected to decline by 2.1pc on the year, down to 524mn t in 2025. For global iron ore exports the outlook is less clear. Low Chinese domestic production and stocks may increase demand but rising protectionist measures from steel-importing nations could curb Chinese steel production for the coming quarters, according to Star Bulk. Increases in minor bulk exports, such as bauxite or fertilizers, will rise on the year but not enough to mitigate decreases in major bulk volumes. The volume of minor bulk trade is expected to grow by 0.4pc on the year, driven by higher bauxite exports out of west Africa. Star Bulk's fleet consists of 150 bulk carriers including 17 Newscastlemaxes, 16 Capesizes, 38 Kamsarmaxes and 48 Ultramaxes. Star Bulk reported a first quarter profit of $462,000, down from $74mn in the same quarter the previous year. By Charlotte Bawol Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
EU consults on tariffs for €95bn US imports
EU consults on tariffs for €95bn US imports
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Scorpio Tankers' profits plunge in January-March
Scorpio Tankers' profits plunge in January-March
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