News Brief:

Shipbuilding News:

* Nord awards up to 7 reefer boxships

* ASP orders MR from Mipo

* HHI wins first order of this year

* HHI considers Oilbank flotation

* Korea's orderbook reaches lowest in three years

* BC demolition sets for record in 2016

Shipping News:

* Panamaxes help Baltic Dry Index end its record-breaking rout

* Some see bleak year for chem shipping

Steel News:

* China: Steel industry needs market exit mechanism to cut overcapacity

Energy News:

* Oil prices surge amid possible production cut

Biz China:

* Tax reductions aim to boost service trade

* Baltic Dry Index

BDI      291         ()

+1

()

BCI      199          -7

)

     (BPI      324 +12

BSI      243          ()

-1

BHSI    183          ()

-1

* TC Avg ($/day)

BCI  5T/C     2,698          ()

-58

()

BPI  4T/C     2,597         +94

BSI  6T/C     2,544          ()

-10

* Exchange Rate

USD / KRW   1,206.5

USD / RMB    6.5118

* Crude Future ($/barrel)

WTI       29.08

Brent     32.95