The container market may be poised for a stronger 2018 amid continued demand growth and carrier consolidation, but only if box rates provide better profit margins. This will depend on annual contract prices and spot box rates.
The Atlantic Panamax market is set for a firm start of 2018, on sustained grains demand from China and expected high exports volumes from S America and the US. According to the IGC, 2018 will see global soybeans imports rise by 4% to 153 mil mt, led by the Chinese appetite which is expected to account for more than 60% of the total exports.
The Atlantic Supramax market is set for a strong first quarter of 2018, with a relatively late Chinese Lunar New Year holiday providing a some respite in January and early February for trade to resume after the holidays.
(Thu, 21 Dec 2017) EIA published new structure and thickness maps for the Wolfcamp formation, one of the main oil producing reservoirs of the Permian basin, as well as and an updated map of the major structural and tectonic features of the Permian basin region (see âPermian Basinâ section). Shapefiles for these maps are also available at the bottom of the linked page.
At a pre-conference dinner before November's Platts Digital Commodities Summit, the conversation naturally turned to bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, and the rejection – and disdain – that many supporters of the entire crypto movement have for what are known as "fiat currencies."
(Fri, 15 Dec 2017) Through the first nine months of 2017, U.S. biodiesel production levels were slightly higher than 2016 levels, despite the expiration of a federal biodiesel blender's tax credit at the end of 2016. Domestic biodiesel production may continue to increase because of changes to import policies such as those recently announced by the U.S. Department of Commerce on biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia.
The boom in infrastructure projects is driving steel demand in India as the country prepares for national elections to be held in 2019.
(Thu, 14 Dec 2017) Brazil has produced 3.3 million barrels per day (b/d) of petroleum and other liquids so far in 2017, according to data through August, up from 3.2 million b/d in 2016, making it the ninth-largest producer of petroleum and other liquids in the world. Production of crude oil in Brazil increased in recent years as producers targeted large, offshore, pre-salt oil deposits.
Tough new environmental regulations will soon hit the shipping industry. Our infographic to help you quickly identify the key challenges and prepare your business.
(Wed, 13 Dec 2017) Most of the growing number of installations of utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) operating capacity across the United States have been systems that make use of crystalline silicon panels. In 2016, 70% of U.S. utility-scale PV capacity used crystalline silicon modules. Thin-film technology accounted for 28% of capacity.
