GLG News by Metallurgical Coal Experts

Sea Containers (OTC:SCRA.PK) finally received some good news, having won their dispute with GE Capital in arbitration.

The US Congress is in the process of removing a loophole in the 2004 Jobs Creation Act tonnage tax scheme that will disqualify Jones Act trade to Puerto Rico, perhaps retroactively.  Horizon Lines (NYS:HRZ) and Trailerbridge (Nasdaq:TRBR) will see the largest negative impacts.

While most attention in dry bulk shipping has focused on the Capesize sector and the astronomical rates being achieved, the Handysize sector shows more promise in the long-term.

Bunker fuel prices have soared ($514/ton versus $280/ton a year ago.)  Liner companies have had only moderate success in achieving a cost-neutral status, with spot shippers paying the bulk of the price increases through fuel surcharges.

The announced new scrubber installations at major eastern coal fired plants by TVA, Southern Company and American Electric Power will increase the demand for high calcium lime production staring in 2008.  Most of these installations will utilize "wet scrubber" desulfurization equipment with for...

    Coal plants utilize high-calcium limestone as a reagent in flue gas desulphurization (FGD or “scrubbers”) to remove the sulfur from the coal rather than it going up the stack as air emissions. The usage of this limestone will increase as scrubbers are included on new coal plants...

Finland-based Wartsila (Stuttgart:MTA.SG), as one of the few remaining large marine engine manufacturers, is enjoying an exceptionally strong market, as evidenced by their 62% jump in third quarter profits.

Excel Maritime (NYS:EXM) reported ytd earnings up 136%, but saw a significant fall in stock price as disappointed investors responded.

Ultrapetrol (Nasdaq:ULTR) reported losses of $1.8M through three quarters of 2007 primarily driven by losses on forward freight agreements (FFA.)

It is known that there are two major comprehensive competitors in the world of processing industries: Global Engineering Alliance (GEA) based in Germany, and Swedish based Alfa Laval. While GEA is stronger, more comprehensive, and rolls out red carpet to its prospect, Alfa Laval uses different leverages...