RATES, FLOWS AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PORTS

摘要

Wolfgang Ritschel, general secretary of the German coal importers' association, Verein der Kohlenimporteure (VdK), says that currency fluctuations and the collapse of shipping freight rates could have an impact on where importers find the best deals. For example, freight rates have historically been a key factor in whether the US is a net importer or exporter and how competitive Australian and Indonesian coal is in European markets, with consequent implications for ports. "It's about price," comments Ritschel: "The South African Rand, for example, has lost a lot against the US dollar, so revenues for the South African coal industry are still good at lower prices."