News Brief:

Shipbuilding News:

* COSCO inks dredger newbuilding contract

* Precious axes bulker NB duo

* China’s shipbuilding sector sees 26% decline in new orders in 2015: Bancosta

* STX France bags cruise ship duo

* "SHI to exceed yearly order target"

* Korean ship exports down by 32%

Shipping News:

* Baltic index falls to a further record low

* Steep fall in Baltic Dry poses lay-up threat for Indian shipping firms

Steel News:

* Iron ore at one-month top as firmer steel spurs buyers

Energy News:

* Crude prices gain as U.S. dollar tumbles

Biz China:

* Top economic planner dismisses massive job loss fears

* Baltic Dry Index

BDI      303          ()

-7

()

BCI      209          -8

)

       (BPI      284 +2

BSI      280          ()

-9

BHSI    203          ()

-9

* TC Avg ($/day)

BCI  5T/C     2,775          ()

-47

()

BPI  4T/C     2,275          +15

BSI  6T/C     2,698         ()

-114

* Exchange Rate

USD / KRW   1,216.7

USD / RMB    6.5419

* Crude Future ($/barrel)

WTI      32.71

Brent    35.32