China’s strong demand for coal and iron ore is adding to the upward pressure on freight rates, which have risen sharply as the ship line-up builds in Australia after storm disruptions early this month.
Industry officials and traders said there was no sign of a slowdown in Chinese iron ore demand, despite Beijing imposing tax changes [...]

China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd will increase its coal output by 15 million tons annually within the next five years to make the company the world’s biggest coal producer, Shenhua’s top official said here Monday.
“By 2010, the company’s annual coal output is expected to exceed 200 million tons,” said Chen Biting, [...]