News Brief:

Shipbuilding News:

* KDB to assist large containerships

* HHI develops world’s first flame-retarding insulation

* Korea's 1st FRU completes gas trial  

* NB deliveries up in Jan-Feb

* Sasebo wins Greek Aframaxes  

Shipping News:

* COSCO International says overall performance remains stable; Dividend payout ratio increases to 73%

* Dry bulk market improvement brings ship price decreases to a halt, as S&P market finds new balance

Steel News:

* Vale Signs Iron Ore Shipping Deal To China for 16 million mt/year

Energy News:

* Oil prices fluctuate after Brussels attacks

Biz China:

* IMF denies pressing China for more currency data

* Baltic Dry Index

BDI      398           (0)

()

BCI      186         -11

()

BPI      455         -4

BSI      464         ()

+4

BHSI    264         ()

+2

* ()

TC Avg ($/day)

BCI  5T/C     1,994          ()

-37BPI  4T/C     3,644          -34

BSI  6T/C     4,848         ()

+41

* Exchange Rate

USD / KRW   1,159.5

USD / RMB    6.4936

* Crude Future ($/barrel)

WTI       41.19

Brent     41.56

* Buker  (Singapore, $/ton)

 IF380      IFO180     MDO     MGO

182.00      190.00     348.00   358.00