China is mulling the possibility of establishing a coal forwards exchange to provide hedge facilities for the country's power generators and large energy consumers. An official at the Beijing-based China National Coal Association told China's Business Daily that, "It is soliciting public opinions on the idea?[on] whether it needs to set up a nationwide coal trading centre like the one on New York Mercantile Exchange."
Fuel oil futures volumes on Shanghai Futures Exchange (ShFE) have dropped after its solid start on 25 August when 91,500 lots were traded. Activity in the five next trading days averaged 49,000 lots. Meanwhile, high-ranking international executives have been making a beeline to visit ShFE. Since June, visits have been made by Man Financial (Kevin Davis, chairman & ceo, Christopher Smith, executive chairman and Simon Raybould, ceo of Man Financial Hong Kong), David Ford, managing director of International Petroleum Exchange, Bo Collins, then Nymex...