Nantong: Nantong Cosco KHI Ship Engineering Co (Nacks) inked an order to build two 61,000 dwt dry bulk carriers for Josco Jiangsu.

Port Hedland: Australian iron ore exports to China for December from the key Port Hedland jumped by a quarter to a record 20.23m tonnes from 16.17m tonnes the month before, according to shipping figures.

Singapore: Thoresen Shipping is setting up a European chartering office based in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Tokyo: Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) boss Koichi Muto has forecast another record loss making year in 2013 as poor dry bulk and tanker markets take their toll.

London: With just one day of trading left in 2012 the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) closed at just 700 points on Friday.

Subic Bay: According to a recent report, Vale’s Philippine operations are not doing as well as the Brazilian miner had hoped.

Beijing: China-based CSSC Chengxi Shipyard is wrapping up the year with several orders for dry bulk newbuildings to keep its yard busy in 2013.

Hong Kong: Over the weekend, China Rongsheng announced the delivery of their seventh 380,000 dwt very large ore carrier (VLOC) to Vale SA, and the sea trial of another VLOC for Oman Shipping Company on the same day.

Copenhagen: China’s iron ore demand is forecast to grow 7.5% next year, with stronger coal imports also expected according to Bimco.

Nanjing: CSC Jinling Shipyard has won an order to build up to ten 35,000 dwt handysize dry bulk carriers for Greece-based Ariston Navigation.