News Brief:

Shipbuilding News:

* Jinhai inks "super-low" VLCC LOI

* YZJ revenue·net profit decreased

* China bags 20 chemical tankers  

* SPP M&A price nego faces rough going

* Korea seeks massive orders from Iran

* Korean ship exports turns to uptrend

Shipping News:

* VLCC chartering activity reaches one-month highs with Middle Eastern fixtures rising by 93% on the week

* Asia-N.Europe container freight rates jump 170 pct

Steel News:

*  Iron Ore Bear Holds Fast Even After `the Market Got It So Wrong’

Energy News:

* Crude prices retreat as OPEC boosts output

Biz China:

* China completes implementation of VAT scheme

* Baltic Dry Index

BDI      703          (-7)

BCI   1,117        (-20)

BPI      667        (-18)

BSI      582         (+4)

BHSI    367         (+2)

* TC Avg ($/day)

BCI  5T/C     9,050      

BPI  4T/C     5,464      

BSI  6T/C     6,041      

* Exchange Rate

USD / KRW   1,140.8

USD / RMB    6.4565

* Crude Future ($/barrel)

WTI       44.92

Brent     45.80

* Buker  (Singapore, $/ton)

 IF380      IFO180     MDO     MGO

222.00      234.00     400.00   410.00