Imtech N.V.: Imtech: recovery of maritime market in Far East and Singapore

Gouda – Imtech (technical services provider in Europe and on the global maritime market)
is observing a recovery of the technological maritime market in the Far East and
Singapore. Imtech draws this conclusion based on of the growing intake of orders in this
region over the past few months. In this period, Imtech has obtained new orders
representing a total value of 36 million euro. With a total of 10 local offices, Imtech
has a strong position in this region and sees good opportunities for further growth in
the near future.

Imtech CEO René van der Bruggen: ‘I just came back from a visit to our key business
locations in China and Singapore. The maritime economic climate is recovering there.
This region is developing into an important centre for global shipping. In the first
half-year of 2010, over 200 contracts for the construction of new ships were put on the
market – considerably more than last year. With our main offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai
and Singapore and six secondary offices in other maritime centres, we cover the market
segments offshore and special vessels, work boats, container vessels, bulk carriers,
luxury yachts and navy vessels. The combination of complex (tailor-made) technical total
solutions, innovative technology in the area of automation, energy, navigation &
communications, and proven technology ensures that Imtech can offer an extensive range
of services to both Asian shipyards and Western owners who order their vessels to be
built there. Imtech focuses on new construction and upgrading, maintenance and
management in relation to a ship’s total lifecycle. This year, we expect to cross the
line of 100 million euro in order intake in this region for the first time, thanks to,
among other things, the fact that the various offices work together more intensively and
are able to realise the synergies of cross-selling.’

Oil and gas market
In the last quarter of 2009, particularly in Singapore, there was a recovery in oil and
gas markets thanks to the demand for energy picking up in the Asian region. For example,
Imtech received orders to supply technical solutions on board a Boskalis rock dumping
vessel, an Acergy heavy-lift crane vessel/pipelayer, an offshore support ship owned by
Drydocks World Singapore and various high-tech navigation & communications,
hardware/software and telecommunications projects on board ships and offshore platforms
owned by Gazflot, Noble Drilling, Saipem and Modec/Petrobas. Options have also been
signed for multiple ships and platforms in the near future.

Container and bulk market
The Chinese demand for steel and iron have picked up considerably at the start of this
year. Thanks to this growing demand, and the increase in global trade, the maritime
container and bulk market is showing a recovery. Shipping traffic is increasing. For
Imtech, this entails an increase in the number of orders for upgrading and a higher
volume of maintenance orders. In addition, Imtech is active as a technology partner in
the market for new construction, which is picking up at Chinese shipyards such as the
Ouhua Shipyard, Dao Da Shipyard, Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard, PACC Yeuxin Ocean
Engineering Shipyard and the Fujian South East Shipyard. Besides navigation &
communications technology, Imtech is also involved in a number of energy distribution
programmes and ‘green’ technology.

Luxury yachts and navy vessels
The market for luxury yachts and navy vessels stays at the desired level for Imtech in
this region, as is evidenced by orders to supply technology on board two 45-m long
high-tech ‘Porsche Design’ catamarans in Vietnam, integrated platform management systems
for two minesweepers of the Singapore navy and an order to supply spare parts to the
South Korean navy.

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More information

Media: Analysts & investors:
Pieter Koenders Jeroen Leenaers
Manager Corporate Communications Manager Investor Relations
T: +31 655 74 65 85 T: +31 182 54 35 04
E: pieter.koenders@imtech.eu mailto:pieter.koenders@imtech.eu E: jeroen.leenaers@imtech.eu mailto:jeroen.leenaers@imtech.eu
www.imtech.eu http://www.imtech.eu www.imtech.eu http://www.imtech.eu

Imtech profile
Imtech N.V. is a European technical services provider in the fields of electrical
engineering, ICT and mechanical engineering. With approximately 23,000 employees, Imtech
achieves annual revenue of more then 4.3 billion euro. Imtech holds strong positions in
the buildings, industry and infrastructure/traffic markets in the Netherlands, Belgium,
Luxembourg, Germany, Eastern Europe, Nordic, the UK, Ireland and Spain and in the global
marine market. In total Imtech serves 20,000 customers. Imtech offers added value in the
form of integrated and multidisciplinary total solutions that lead to better business
processes and more efficiency for customers and the customers they, in their turn,
serve. Imtech also offers solutions that contribute towards a sustainable society, for
example in the areas of energy, the environment, water and mobility. Imtech shares are
listed on the Euronext Stock Exchange Amsterdam, where Imtech is included in the Midkap
Index. Imtech shares are also included in the Dow Jones STOXX 600 index.

HUG#1431155

pdf version press release http://hugin.info/130755/R/1431155/377682.pdf

Russia’s IIB restructures $1 bln debt to cbank -reports

July 6 (Reuters) – Russia’s International Industrial Bank (IIB) restructured 32 billion rouble ($1 billion) debt to the central bank, easing concerns on its ability to repay a 200 million euro Eurobond, business papers reported on Tuesday.

Industrial magnate Sergei Pugachev, the bank’s controlling shareholder, pledged his stakes in two shipyards as collateral for the central bank’s loans, and may secure an additional $400-600 million in loans from state-controlled lender VTB (VTBR.MM), Vedomosti reported, citing banking sources.

“The loan (to the c.bank) has been rescheduled to the middle of January 2011, the bank should pledge collateral in two weeks,” a source close to the central bank told Kommersant, another business daily.

Reuters could not reach IIB for immediate comment.

IIB [IIBNK.UL], also known as MezhPromBank, is ranked among Russia’s top 30 in terms of assets, but the main part of its business is connected to Pugachev’s shipbuilding-to-mining empire.

The bank needs to repay the Eurobond on July 6 and a source close to the bank has earlier said it plans to pay the debt from own funds [ID:nLDE65F1I6] ($1=31.17 Rouble) (Reporting by Dmitry Sergeyev; Editing by Anshuman Daga)

Seoul shares inch up led by shipyards, steelmakers

Retail investors bought a net 94.6 billion won worth of
shares.

Decliners outnumbered advancers 419 to 374 and 80 issues
ended flat.

Trading volume stood at 349 million shares worth 4 trillion
won, compared with 338.5 million shares worth 5.4 trillion won
in the previous session.

The KOSPI 200 Sept futures index KSc1 ended up 0.60 points
at 217.95, and the KOSPI 200 spot index .KS200 rose 0.46
points to 217.47.

The junior Kosdaq market .KQ11 ended 0.09 percent higher
at 486.15.

Move on day +0.21 percent

12-month high 1,757.76 26 APRIL 2010

12-month low 1,377.60 14 JULY 2009

Change on yr -0.44 percent

All-time high 2,085.45 1 NOV 2007

All-time low 93.10 6 JAN 1981
(Editing by Jonathan Hopfner)

Seoul shares inch up led by shipyards, steelmakers

July 5 (Reuters) – Seoul shares edged up on Monday, snapping a four-session losing streak with gains led by shipyards and steelmakers such as STX Offshore & Shipbuilding (067250.KS) and POSCO (005490.KS).

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) finished up 0.21 percent at 1,675.37 points.

(Reporting by Jungyoun Park; Editing by Jonathan Hopfner)

Ameron Reports Solid Profits on Higher Second-Quarter Sales

PASADENA, Calif.–(Business Wire)–
Ameron International Corporation (NYSE:AMN) today reported net income of $9.5
million, or $1.03 per diluted share, in the quarter ended May 30, 2010, compared
to net income of $9.4 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, in the quarter ended
May 31, 2009. Consolidated sales increased to $136.5 million in the second
quarter of 2010, compared to $132.9 million in the second quarter of 2009 and
$109.0 million in the first quarter of 2010.

James S. Marlen, Ameron`s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President,
stated, “We are encouraged by the second-quarter sales increase and the level of
profitability, especially given the difficult market conditions and the weakness
of the first quarter. Overall, improvements by Fiberglass-Composite Pipe and
TAMCO, the Company`s 50%-owned steel mini mill in Southern California, were
offset by declines of the other construction-related businesses, which continued
to be affected by cyclically weak markets. Second-quarter net income was flat in
2010, compared to 2009, due partly to unprofitable wind tower operations and the
lack of income from affiliates.”

Year-to-date net income totaled $10.6 million, or $1.15 per diluted share, in
2010, compared to $13.3 million, or $1.43 per diluted share, in 2009. Sales for
the first six months of 2010 totaled $245.6 million, compared to $278.9 million
in 2009.

The Fiberglass-Composite Pipe Group`s second-quarter sales of $64.7 million and
segment income of $17.8 million were up 16% and 8%, respectively, higher in 2010
than in 2009. Second-quarter sales increased in key oilfield and mining markets
in North and South America. Marine and offshore energy exploration and
production markets remained strong, sustained by new vessel construction at
Asian shipyards. In Brazil, sales growth came from the municipal water markets
and from the new Centron operation which began production of oil field piping in
the latter part of 2009. Most of the Group`s worldwide, consolidated operations
had higher profits. Income related to dividends from an affiliated company in
Saudi Arabia of $2.2 million in 2009 did not repeat in 2010. Looking forward,
the Fiberglass-Composite Pipe Group is on track with the prior year and
continues to see signs of improvement due primarily to higher energy-related
demand.

The Infrastructure Products Group had lower sales and segment income in the
second quarter of 2010 due to the impact of continued soft economic conditions
on residential and commercial construction markets. The Hawaii Division`s sales
and segment income were lower in 2010, compared to 2009; Pole Products` segment
income improved on flat sales. The Group`s combined sales declined $4.5 million,
or 13%; while combined segment income declined $.7 million, or 23%. Pole
Products benefitted from lower costs and higher sales of concrete poles for the
replacement market. Sales of steel poles and concrete poles for new construction
projects remained sluggish. Demand for aggregates and ready-mix on both Oahu and
Maui fell as construction spending in Hawaii continued to soften due to the
recessionary economy. Military and governmental spending in Hawaii provided a
stable base of business; however, residential and commercial construction,
including construction of timeshare units, resorts and high-rise condominium
projects, was down. The State of Hawaii`s fiscal challenges and the lower level
of tourism are expected to delay a recovery in Hawaiian construction. Demand for
Pole Products Division`s decorative concrete poles for residential lighting
applications is stable. However, significant recovery of the Infrastructure
Products Group is not expected in the short term.

The Water Transmission Group was slightly profitable in the second quarter of
2010. The profitability of the water pipe business improved, while the wind
tower business turned unprofitable. The Group`s combined sales declined $1.0
million, or 2%, due to lower pipe sales than in the second quarter of 2009. As
anticipated, water pipe sales improved in the second quarter, compared to the
first quarter when rainy weather impacted pipe production. Wind tower sales were
flat in the second quarter of 2010, compared to the second quarter of 2009. New
tower orders remain elusive due to weak wind energy markets and the inability of
wind farm developers to obtain project financing. Wind tower backlog fell to
$11.5 million at the end of the second quarter, from $28.9 million at November
30, 2009. The wind tower business is not expected to recover in the near term.
The water pipe business was also affected by the low bid activity in the water
and wastewater markets in the western U.S. The lack of bid activity was due to
tight municipal and state budgets, the lack of available project financing and
the timing of construction of major water transmission pipelines. While a number
of wind tower and pipe projects are being followed and planning activities have
increased, it remains uncertain when owners, water agencies and municipalities
will proceed with these projects.

TAMCO`s sales increased in the second quarter of 2010, compared to the same
period in 2009, primarily due to inventory restocking by customers and higher
market pricing. Shipments in 2010 remained well below TAMCO`s production
capacity. TAMCO`s net loss in the second quarter of 2010 totaled $.8 million,
compared to a loss of $3.4 million in 2009. Ameron`s share of TAMCO`s net loss
was $.4 million after taxes in 2010, compared to a loss of $1.6 million in 2009.
While steel markets have generally firmed in the U.S., demand for steel rebar in
TAMCO`s key markets in the western states remains depressed due to sluggishness
in the construction industry.

“We are pleased with second-quarter results. As expected, 2010 continues to be
challenging. The seasonal decline of the first quarter was partially offset in
the second quarter, and some markets are showing signs of improvement. Although
difficult market conditions are expected to continue, we are cautiously
optimistic for the balance of the year. The Company will continue to be led by
the Fiberglass-Composite Pipe Group and constrained by the cyclical,
construction-related businesses. We continue to focus on controlling costs to
maximize profits in spite of weak markets and are actively reviewing all
operations for improvements. Likewise, we are continuing to invest in expanding
and enhancing the Company`s capabilities and markets and are seeking
opportunities for growth. We remain optimistic that as the global economy
recovers and stabilizes, the Company will capitalize on its strong market
positions and achieve superior long-term results,” James S. Marlen concluded.

About Ameron International

Ameron International Corporation is a multinational manufacturer of
highly-engineered products and materials for the chemical, industrial, energy,
transportation and infrastructure markets. Traded on the New York Stock Exchange
(AMN), Ameron is a leading producer of water transmission lines and fabricated
steel products, such as wind towers; fiberglass-composite pipe for transporting
oil, chemicals and corrosive fluids and specialized materials; and products used
in infrastructure projects. The Company`s businesses operate in North America,
South America, Europe and Asia. The Company also has partial ownership in
several unconsolidated affiliates in the U.S. and the Middle East.

All statements in this press release and in all future press releases that do
not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts constitute
“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements represent the intentions, plans,
expectations and beliefs of Ameron International Corporation (the “Company” or
“Ameron”), and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of
which are outside the Company`s control. These factors could cause actual
results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. For a written
description of these factors, see the section titled “Risk Factors” in the
Company`s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended November 30, 2009. The
Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update these forward-looking
statements whether as a result of subsequent events or otherwise except as
required by law.

AMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
May 30, May 31, May 30, May 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2010 2009 2010 2009
Sales $ 136,544 $ 132,920 $ 245,562 $ 278,922
Cost of sales (101,213 ) (96,370 ) (180,785 ) (207,451 )
Gross profit 35,331 36,550 64,777 71,471

Selling, general and administrative expenses (24,138 ) (25,877 ) (51,400 ) (52,285 )
Other income, net 969 2,431 1,511 2,902
Income before interest, income taxes and equity in loss of affiliate 12,162 13,104 14,888 22,088
Interest expense, net (305 ) (148 ) (412 ) (319 )
Income before income taxes and equity in loss of affiliate 11,857 12,956 14,476 21,769
Provision for income taxes (1,899 ) (1,975 ) (2,659 ) (4,619 )
Income before equity in loss of affiliate 9,958 10,981 11,817 17,150
Equity in loss of affiliate, net of taxes (409 ) (1,555 ) (1,185 ) (3,898 )
Net income $ 9,549 $ 9,426 $ 10,632 $ 13,252

Net income per share allocated to Common Stock
Basic $ 1.03 $ 1.02 $ 1.15 $ 1.44

Diluted $ 1.03 $ 1.02 $ 1.15 $ 1.43

Weighted-average shares (basic) 9,205,970 9,171,645 9,191,676 9,159,161
Weighted-average shares (diluted) 9,218,234 9,185,143 9,209,129 9,172,470

Cash dividends per share $ .30 $ .30 $ .60 $ .60

AMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS – ASSETS (UNAUDITED)

May 30, November 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2010 2009
ASSETS

Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 153,351 $ 181,114
Receivables, less allowances of $4,589 in 2010 and $5,351 in 2009 155,171 151,210
Inventories 70,865 62,700
Deferred income taxes 18,814 19,795
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 12,870 11,585

Total current assets 411,071 426,404

Investments
Equity method affiliate 27,841 30,626
Cost method affiliates 3,784 3,784

Property, plant and equipment
Land 45,662 46,029
Buildings 100,856 100,583
Machinery and equipment 348,573 345,604
Construction in progress 36,958 32,306

Total property, plant and equipment at cost 532,049 524,522
Accumulated depreciation (291,440 ) (286,014 )

Total property, plant and equipment, net 240,609 238,508
Deferred income taxes 14,320 14,321
Goodwill and intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $1,269 in 2010 and $1,257 in 2009 2,070 2,088
Other assets 46,521 46,818

Total assets $ 746,216 $ 762,549

AMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS – LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

May 30, November 30,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2010 2009
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt $ 7,263 $ 7,366
Trade payables 45,933 44,052
Accrued liabilities 69,614 77,515
Income taxes payable 9,038 10,004

Total current liabilities 131,848 138,937

Long-term debt, less current portion 31,874 30,933
Deferred income taxes 1,709 1,710
Other long-term liabilities 90,764 99,379

Total liabilities 256,195 270,959

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders’ equity
Common Stock, par value $2.50 per share, authorized 24,000,000 shares, outstanding 9,246,355 shares in 2010 and 9,209,836 shares in 2009 30,045 29,920
Additional paid-in capital 60,395 59,531
Retained earnings 505,299 500,224
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (48,649 ) (42,036 )
Treasury Stock (2,771,637 shares in 2010 and 2,758,356 shares in 2009) (57,069 ) (56,049 )

Total stockholders’ equity 490,021 491,590

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 746,216 $ 762,549

AMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

Six Months Ended
May 30, May 31,
(Dollars in thousands) 2010 2009
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $ 10,632 $ 13,252
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities:
Depreciation 12,714 10,657
Amortization 17 19
Loss from affiliate 1,285 4,313
(Gain)/loss from sale of property, plant and equipment (11) 16
Stock compensation expense 1,433 2,362
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables, net (5,394) 45,120
Inventories (9,356) 15,873
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (1,339) (246)
Other assets 64 (87)
Trade payables 2,377 (7,675)
Accrued liabilities and income taxes payable (8,226) (3,637)
Other long-term liabilities and deferred income taxes (8,325) (1,221)
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities (4,129) 78,746

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 180 431
Additions to property, plant and equipment (16,756) (26,471)
Investment in affiliate – (10,000)
Loan to affiliate, net 1,500 –
Net cash used in investing activities (15,076) (36,040)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of debt 1,150 427
Dividends on Common Stock (5,557) (5,521)
Issuance of Common Stock 306 (1)
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation – 819
Purchase of treasury stock (1,081) (992)
Net cash used in financing activities (5,182) (5,268)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (3,376) 4,581
Net change in cash and cash equivalents (27,763) 42,019
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 181,114 143,561

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 153,351 $ 185,580

AMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

SEGMENT INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
May 30, May 31, May 30, May 31,
(In thousands) 2010 2009 2010 2009
Sales
Fiberglass-Composite Pipe $ 64,668 $ 55,532 $ 119,174 $ 112,273
Water Transmission 41,288 42,251 67,100 93,794
Infrastructure Products 30,612 35,147 59,318 72,866
Eliminations (24 ) (10 ) (30 ) (11 )
Total Sales $ 136,544 $ 132,920 $ 245,562 $ 278,922

Income Before Interest, Income Taxes and Equity in Loss of Affiliate
Fiberglass-Composite Pipe $ 17,779 $ 16,490 $ 31,830 $ 31,136
Water Transmission 252 2,182 (1,630 ) 2,695
Infrastructure Products 2,370 3,059 3,584 6,843
Corporate and unallocated (8,239 ) (8,627 ) (18,896 ) (18,586 )
Total Income Before Interest, Income Taxes and Equity in Loss of Affiliate $ 12,162 $ 13,104 $ 14,888 $ 22,088

Ameron International Corporation
James S. Marlen, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
Gary Wagner, Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration & Chief Financial
Officer
James R. McLaughlin, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development & Treasurer
Telephone: 626-683-4000

Copyright Business Wire 2010

Antony calls upon industry to boost ship building programmes of Indian Navy

Mumbai, Apr.29 (ANI): Defence Minister A K Antony on Thursday called upon the Indian Industry to give their best in developing the country’s ship building programmes.

Speaking after commissioning INS Shivalik, the first of three new indigenous stealth frigates here, Antony said over the years there has been a distinct shift in country’s policy from a “Buyer’s Navy’ to a ‘Builder’s Navy”.

He stressed that the ship building industry has to modernize itself through indigenous efforts and minimize its dependence on imports.

“We must continue with our efforts to transform and modernize our shipyards, so that they can not only meet the domestic demands but also achieve latest international standards in quality construction. We must be able to produce quality ships in a shorter time frame at competitive costs. I strongly urge all the participants of the Indian industry to give their best in developing our ship building programmes,” Antony said.

He pointed out that the security situation in and around India’s immediate neighbourhood poses several security related challenges, adding there is a need to maintain high levels of operational readiness at all times.

Described the commissioning of INS Shivalik, the largest stealth frigate in the world, as a red letter day for the Indian Navy, Armed Forces, the ship building industry and the entire nation, Antony said India’s long coastline and ever expanding exclusive economic zone make it imperative to defend main land as well as maintain the sea lanes of communication.

INS Shivalik and the follow-on-ships of the Shivalik class (namely, Satpura and Sahyadiri) have been conceived and designed by Indian Navy design teams. The Shivalik class will be the mainstay frigates of the Indian Navy in the first half of the 21st century. (ANI)

Antony and wife launch third missile destroyer warship in Mumbai

Mumbai, Apr 1 (ANI): The Indian Navy launched a missile destroyer in the Project-15 Alpha Class at the Mazgaon Dock here today.

Elizabeth Antony, the wife of Defence Minister A.K. Antony, launched the warship, which is the country’s third missile destroyer.

Speaking on the occasion Antony said India should have indigenous warship manufacturing capability.

“The country cannot depend on foreign shipyards,” he added.

He also said the government would work towards the welfare of the Mazagaon Docks where the ships are manufactured.

These are the largest warships ever constructed at the Mazgaon Docks, the oldest and the most prolific of all Indian naval dockyards.

The lead ship, INS Kolkota, and its sister ship, INS Kochi, have already been launched. (ANI)

Sink or swim

Like unwelcome guests who will not leave, 453 container ships, 11% of global capacity, now float outside the harbours of Hong Kong, Singapore and other South-East Asian ports. They are unwanted by their hosts as well as their customers. In recent days China has quietly let it be known that it wants to rid its territorial waters of these nautical squatters.Only five years ago huge demand from China meant that all these ships, and more, were desperately needed. This had a dramatic impact first on shipping rates, and then on supply. Between the end of 2006 and July 2008, shipyards received enough commissions to double the world’s fleet. Now these new ships—more than 9,000 vessels—are taking to the water just as demand has collapsed. The world is awash with ships.

To see how the recent boom and bust has affected value, a Hong Kong broker cites a 150-tonne “Cape class” ship that sold in 2003 for $18.5m in the used market. Critical to the price was the prevailing charter rate, then $15,000 a day. By last summer this had risen to $175,000 a day, and an identical ship sold for $85m. Rates peaked shortly thereafter at $300,000. Today rates are back where they were in 2003. Rather than try to find a buyer for another identical ship, albeit one that needed repairs, the owner dumped it for $7m to be used as scrap.

Orders for new ships have, not surprisingly, collapsed and scrutiny has shifted from what can be bought to what can be cancelled: nothing, it turns out, without great effort. South Korea’s shipyards, the global leaders, have learnt from previous busts. They typically demand 20% up front, a further 60% during construction, and the final 20% payment upon delivery. Walk away and you lose a fortune.

These shipyards have good reason to play tough. Along with a loss of revenue, cancellations cause operational chaos. Worse still, orders are booked in dollars, but to cover local production costs shipyards buy forward currency contracts, transforming their obligations into won. The contracts are paid off in dollars by the buyers. But what if the buyer cancels? Analysts are warning that the resulting demand for dollars to unwind currency contracts, estimated at $10 billion-30 billion, will put further pressure on the won.

Buyers, meanwhile, have their own pressing problems. Martin Stopford, managing director of Clarkson Research, a maritime-research firm, estimates the backlog in shipyards at $526 billion. Some of this comes with first-class payment guarantees, but not all. That requires large amounts of credit, largely from banks which are hardly in a generous mood and are fully aware that their collateral, if the buyer stumbles, has just depreciated.

Given mutual interest in survival, yards and ship owners are no doubt discussing delays. These talks are typically kept quiet, but Cosco Singapore, a big shipbuilder, recently said that the construction of 30 bulk carriers had been deferred or cancelled. Steve Man, an analyst at HSBC, says this is the tip of the iceberg. He thinks more than half the deliveries for 2010 will be delayed—and shipyards will agree because the alternative is no work after 2011.

Weaker shipyards are already being weeded out. Two South Korean shipyards that started up in response to the boom have recently collapsed: SNC Shipbuilding defaulted on a key loan on March 17th, and Cand Heavy Industry said on March 24th that a Malaysian buyer had emerged to take over its assets. Many new shipyards are thought to have closed in China without so much as a yelp.

Theoretically the fall in prices should trigger a contraction of supply, as older ships are scrapped and new orders are cancelled. In practice, however, shipyards usually complete ships that are under construction, even if the buyer walks, in the hope of selling them to someone else.

And shipbuilders have strong government support: in China they are beneficiaries of the $585 billion stimulus package, and domestic firms are being encouraged to pick up any orders cancelled by foreign buyers. Not to be outdone, India and Vietnam are subsidising the expansion of their own shipbuilding operations. More new vessels will merely widen the circle of losses, extending it from builders to shipping lines themselves, and back to even the strongest builders as competition intensifies. Rather than a bail-out, what the industry really needs is for some participants to sink.