The inclusion of destination terminal handling charges was incorrectly agreed by shipping lines to large northern hemisphere exporters last decade in lieu of discounting their base freight rates which was quickly agreed by all lines to remain competitive.  ... [read article]

Whilst we still believe that prices should level off or bottom out by year end it still remains uncertain how to guesstimate what the future dollar level might be in early to mid 2012, remembering that in the 2008 crash the turning point was year end or early 2009 for a gradual price which only began to accelerate in Q3 onw... [read article]

With the Amcor Fairfield recently announced two stage closure taking affect from December 2011 the forgiveness of Amcor recovered paper quality will need to positively improve for export.  ... [read article]

The price correction in virgin pulp prices during July and August of around twelve percent, will inevitably push down the prices for pulp substitutes. Such prices had already become uncompetitive against bleached pulp in many markets, especially when all yield and bleaching costs are considered. Asian buyers especially Chinese, ... [read article]

It is fortunate that global recovered paper price increases have offset the recent cost increases for ocean freight and the weak US dollar. From Australia, ex factory prices have held up for March and April, mainly due to Asian demand and uncertainty with exports from Japan, in relation to shipping availability and some caution ... [read article]

Whilst recovered paper prices have weakened around 5% so far during March, price uncertainty remains for the next quarter for a number of reasons, even without natural disasters. This is likely to be the first negative quarter since Q1 2009, especially as it also contains the May Golden holiday period in China. Shipping freigh... [read article]

If the dynamics of shipping are changing, this is minor compared to paper distribution, which after three decades of often forgiving bullish market conditions, fine paper distribution is turning a full circle back to mid seventies volumes. The viable numbers of key players surviving against direct imports to the larger printing ... [read article]

Whilst south bound ocean freight rates are softening from the northern hemisphere the same cannot be said firstly for New Zealand. NZ carriers have set rates for Q2 at record highs, with some rates far exceeding USD 2000/FEU and the inclusion of a Bunker Adjustment Factor increase of USD 150/40’ container ex NZ effective March... [read article]

At this time of year confusion reigns with Chinese import licence renewals, harsh European winter, and the uncertain but steady pulp prices. The forecast of a no frills Christmas does not lend itself to much joy, but at the same time, it appears to be a fairly balanced supply and demand scenario, with pricing if anything bouncin... [read article]

Exporters are finding it increasingly difficult to not only cope with the volatile market conditions. They are also suffering with the weakening US dollar and ocean freight uncertainty and add on charges from shipping lines from Australasia. The opposite to the northern hemisphere where rates are weakening. The future is becomi... [read article]