Beluga Shipping's Fall Leads to Financial Soul-Searching but Asia, Commodities Remain Strong

NEWARK, N.J., May 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The collapse of Beluga Shipping – one of the world's largest heavy-lift and project cargo carriers -- has heightened examination of the stability and future of Germany's KG houses, reports Breakbulk Magazine. The May-June Breakbulk issue also includes Drewry Shipping Consultants' analysis of the multipurpose fleet's primary competition, an in-depth special report on piracy and details on BHP Billiton's $80 billion expansion plans. Other stories evaluate Asian roll-on, roll-off industry trends, nuclear development and trade agreements.

"Beluga will affect the capital markets like any insolvency does and there may be doubts about the seriousness of the business models in general. It has been a market shock, especially given the allegations of fraud and mismanagement. But I don't see substantial problems for the mid-term," said Thomas Wenzel, CEO, product of OwnerShip Emissionshaus Hamburg, in the cover story "After Beluga's Fall."

The issue's special report, "Unbinding Piracy's Gordian Knot," analyzes the complex issue of piracy from many angles, including recent decisions by some ocean carriers to use armed guards in dangerous waters.

Additional Breakbulk reporting looks at developments in Asia, including its position as the center of the world's nuclear power expansion and an expected increase in Taiwanese breakbulk and project cargo trade due to their pact with China. "Ro-Ro Report: China and Japan," examines the impact of changing Chinese middle-class car purchasing trends and disaster-related production interruptions in Japan.

This issue's Breakbulk Index provides in-depth data on the steel industry, forest products, piracy incidents and information on commodities and projects affecting the global movement of breakbulk and project cargo.  

Editorial Contact: Janet Nodar, Editor, at +1-251-473-2742 or [email protected].

About Breakbulk -- The Breakbulk (www.breakbulk.com) division of UBM Global Trade has been the most trusted source of intelligence for the breakbulk and project cargo industry since its first breakbulk conference in 1989. The Breakbulk division includes the bimonthly Breakbulk Magazine, three annual conferences, access to all business news articles, indices, archives and more on Breakbulk.com and the weekly e-newsletter, Breakbulk Newswire. Authoritative editorial content in the forms of daily news and in-depth analysis ensure Breakbulk members have the data and information necessary to understand the issues facing the breakbulk, heavy-lift and project cargo shipping sectors. For membership information visit www.breakbulk.com/membership.

About UBM Global Trade - UBM Global Trade is the leading provider of proprietary data, news, business intelligence and analytical content supporting commercial maritime, rail, trucking, warehousing and logistics industries worldwide. The company's portfolio of more than 100 online, print and interactive workflow business solutions includes The Journal of Commerce, Breakbulk, RailResource, PIERS and an array of international trade and transportation databases and directories. UBM Global Trade, a subsidiary of United Business Media Limited, is headquartered in Newark, NJ, with offices throughout the United States. For more information, explore www.ubmglobaltrade.com or call 800-952-3839 (+1-973-776-8660 outside the U.S. or Canada).

SOURCE Breakbulk