Platts seeks feedback on new alumina assessments

Platts plans to launch on August 2, 2010, a daily spot price assessment for alumina FOB Australia. On the same date, Platts will also increase the frequency of its weekly C&F North China alumina assessment to a daily CFR assessment.

Platts proposes to publish the alumina prices in US dollars per metric ton for typical sandy calcined metallurgical grade, also known as smelter grade alumina or SGA, for delivery 30-60 days from date of publication. Platts also proposes to publish daily spot freight rates for part and full cargoes of alumina shipped on the Australia-to-China route. Rates will be normalized based on Handymax and Supramax class vessels.

The assessments will reflect the close of the Asian/Australian markets and will be time stamped at 630 pm Singapore time. They will be published in Platts Metals Alert, Metals Daily supplement and Metals Week, with monthly averages available on Platts Metals Alert, in Metals Week and the Platts Metals Week Price Notification Monthly Report.

Please address any comments or questions by July 9 to: Karen McBeth, karen_mcbeth@platts.com, Tina Allagh, tel. +1 202 383 2257, or tina_allagh@platts.com or Yuen Cheng Mok (65) 6530-6577 or ymok@platts.com, with a cc to pricegroup@platts.com.