Annual Report 2012 EUROPE BELGIUM BULGARIA ... - Duferco

Shipping
Duferco Shipping SA provides
seaborne transportation solutions to
all in the Duferco Group.
This is made through a team of professionals located in Switzerland, Singapore, China,
Ukraine and the USA. The majority of the world-wide business is handled in the Lugano
headquarters by an experienced group of fourteen people. The Singapore office
controls all inter-Asian business, while skilled port captains support and coordinate the
loading operations in the main Baltic, Black Sea and Chinese ports, from where larger
volume flows originate.
Notwithstanding weak world economies, Duferco Shipping SA still charters in excess
of 1000 vessels per year. From small-part cargoes up to large capesizes, the aim is to
deliver to our traders the most cost-effective solutions, enabling them to remain highly
competitive in the steel and raw material trading business.
We are able to consolidate opportunities, build up cargo combinations and enter shortto-medium
contracts of affreightment which greatly reduce the potential exposure to
a volatile market. The Baltic Capesize Timecharter Index averaged USD 7653 daily in
2012.
This is less than half the USD 15750 recorded daily in 2011 and the lowest average ever
registered since the year 2000.
A careful management of the freight business does not only grant the traders access to
the best opportunities, but also allows Duferco SA to consolidate the margins which are
crucial in the challenging environment in which we live today.
50 | Duferco Annual Report 2012