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Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd. Reports Financial Results for the Three Months and Year Ended December 31, 2024

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NEWPORT, R.I., March 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd. (“Pangaea” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: PANL), a global provider of comprehensive maritime logistics solutions, announced today its results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024.

FOURTH QUARTER 2024 RESULTS

Net income attributable to Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd. of $8.4 million, or $0.18 per diluted shareAdjusted net income attributable to Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd. of $7.6 million, or $0.16 per diluted shareOperating cash flow of $19.3 millionAdjusted EBITDA of $23.2 millionTime Charter Equivalent (“TCE”) rates earned by Pangaea of $15,942 per dayPangaea’s TCE rates exceeded the average Baltic Panamax and Supramax indices by 48%Completed previously announced acquisition of fifteen handy-size dry bulk vessels from Strategic Shipping Inc. (“SSI”)

FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS

Net income attributable to Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd. of $28.9 million, or $0.63 per diluted shareAdjusted Net Income attributable to Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd. of $29.9 million, or $0.65 per diluted shareOperating cash flow of $65.7 millionAdjusted EBITDA of $83.0 millionTime Charter Equivalent (“TCE”) rates earned by Pangaea of $16,485 per dayPangaea’s TCE rates exceeded the average Baltic Panamax and Supramax indices by 24%

For the three months ended December 31, 2024, Pangaea reported non-GAAP adjusted net income of $7.6 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, on total revenue of $147.2 million. Fourth quarter TCE rates decreased 10% on a year-over-year basis, while total shipping days, which include both voyage and time charter days, increased 17% to 4,800 days, when compared to the year-ago period.

The TCE earned was $15,942 per day for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to an average of $17,685 per day for the same period in 2023. During the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024, the Company’s average TCE rate exceeded the benchmark average Baltic Panamax and Supramax indices by 48%, supported by Pangaea’s long-term contracts of affreightment (“COAs”), specialized fleet, and cargo-focused strategy.

Total Adjusted EBITDA grew by 18% year-over-year to $23.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. The Adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 16.4%, up from 14.9% in the same period of the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by a 17% rise in shipping days, partially offset by the impact of lower market rates when compared to the prior year period.

For the full year ended December 31, 2024, Pangaea reported non-GAAP adjusted net income of $29.9 million or $0.65 per diluted share, on total revenues of $536.5 million. Adjusted EBITDA was $83.0 million for the full year 2024, reflecting an adjusted EBITDA margin of 15.6%, compared to 16.0% for the full year 2023. Full year TCE rates increased 4.0% on a year-over-year basis in 2024, while total shipping days increased 4.2% to 17,407 when compared to 2023. The Company’s average TCE rate during 2024 exceeded the benchmark average Baltic Panamax and Supramax indices by approximately 24%, supported by Pangaea’s specialized fleet of ice-class vessels, long-term COAs, and cargo-focused strategies.

As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $86.8 million in cash and cash equivalents. Total debt, including financing obligations and finance lease liabilities, was $401.8 million, reflecting the acquisition of fifteen handy-size dry bulk vessels from SSI on December 30, 2024. Under the terms of the transaction, the Company issued approximately 18.06 million shares of its common stock to SSI and assumed $100 million of vessel related financing agreements. During the fourth quarter, the Company also purchased the remaining 50% equity ownership of its consolidated subsidiary, Nordic Bulk Partners LLC, for $19.0 million in cash.

The Company paid $18.7 million in total cash dividends during the full-year 2024, including $4.8 million in the fourth quarter, consistent with its strategic focus on a consistent and sustainable return of capital program.

MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY 

“Our fourth quarter performance was a strong finish to a transformational year for Pangaea, one in which our strong base of long-term contracts and premium-rate model supported a greater than 18% year-over-year increase in Adjusted EBITDA, despite pronounced softness in the broader dry bulk market,” stated Mark Filanowski, Chief Executive Officer of Pangaea Logistics Solutions. “Our differentiated cargo-focused strategy and leading market share across global ice-class trades has enabled us to drive continued TCE rate out performance versus the broader market, culminating in significant growth in fourth quarter profitability.”

“During the fourth quarter, we successfully completed our previously announced merger with Strategic Shipping’s (SSI) fleet of fifteen handy-sized dry bulk vessels,” continued Filanowski. “This complementary transaction will allow us to expand our business into the handy-sized segment of the market, while also leveraging these smaller vessels to grow our stevedoring and terminal services offerings. With an owned fleet of 41 vessels, supplemented by our short term chartered-in fleet, we’re in a strong position to materially expand our logistics and terminal services across a broader footprint of high-traffic ports, consistent with our strategic focus.  To that end, in 2024, we opened new terminal servicing operations in both Texas and Louisiana, while expanding our scope of services in Tampa, Florida.”

“Entering 2025, slowing global demand growth and recent policy actions have contributed to uncertainty within the dry-bulk market,” continued Filanowski. “While this uncertainty may have an inflationary impact on TCE rates, it also has the potential to lead to disruptions in the global flow of goods, leading us to remain agile across our trade networks.  First quarter 2025 to-date, we’ve performed 4,982 shipping days, while generating a TCE rate of $11,412 per day.”

“With the added scale afforded by the SSI transaction, Pangaea is uniquely positioned to drive a combination of expanded commercial growth, improved economies of scale and above-market TCE rate realization in the year ahead, while continuing to prioritize selective investments in our fleet, expanded logistics operations in strategic ports, and our stable cash dividend,” concluded Filanowski.

STRATEGIC UPDATE

Pangaea remains committed to developing a leading dry bulk logistics and transportation services company of scale, providing its customers with specialized shipping and supply chain and logistics offerings in commodity and niche markets that drive premium returns measured in time charter equivalent per day.

Leverage integrated shipping and logistics model. In addition to operating the largest high ice class dry bulk fleet of Panamax and post-Panamax vessels globally, Pangaea also performs stevedoring services, together with port and terminal operations capabilities. Following the completion of the SSI acquisition, the Company is focused on leveraging its handy sized vessels to complement and expand its terminal services and stevedoring operations. The Company continues to make progress in expanding its terminal operations in the Port of Tampa, which is on track to be complete in the second half of 2025.

Continue to drive strong fleet utilization.  In the fourth quarter, Pangaea’s 26 owned vessels were fully utilized and supplemented with an average of 26 chartered-in vessels to support cargo and COA commitments. With the completion of the SSI fleet merger at the end of the fourth quarter, the Company’s owned fleet grew to 41 vessels. Pangaea’s expanded operating fleet of 62 vessels enables the Company to dynamically meet the evolving needs of its customers while maximizing its owned fleet utilization.

Continue to upgrade fleet, while divesting older, non-core assets. The Company’s recent fleet merger with SSI maintains  the average age of the fleet to 10 years and further improves the Company’s ability to maximize TCE rates through optimal asset utilization. Going forward, the Company will continue to selectively invest in its fleet with the purpose of maximizing TCE rates, meeting evolving regulatory requirements and supporting client cargo needs on an on-demand basis.

FOURTH QUARTER 2024 CONFERENCE CALL

The Company’s management team will host a conference call to review the Company’s financial results, discuss recent events and conduct a question-and-answer session on Friday, March 14, 2025 at 8:00 a.m., Eastern Time (ET). Accompanying presentation materials will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at https://www.pangaeals.com/investors/.

To participate in the live teleconference:

Domestic Live:           1-800-579-2543
International Live:      1-785-424-1789
Conference ID:            PANLQ424

To listen to a replay of the teleconference, which will be available through March 21, 2024:

Domestic Replay:        1-800-723-0532
International Replay:   1-402-220-2655

 

Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Operations

Three months ended December 31,

Twelve months ended December 31,

2024

2023

2024

2023

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

Revenues:

Voyage revenue

$     137,600,720

$     122,280,728

$      494,106,763

$      468,580,914

Charter revenue

6,588,091

7,078,975

30,326,291

23,715,895

Terminal & stevedore revenue

2,985,966

2,517,214

12,103,192

6,971,025

Total revenue

147,174,777

131,876,917

536,536,246

499,267,834

Expenses:

Voyage expense

67,673,501

57,085,198

237,478,669

227,434,670

Charter hire expense

34,424,625

33,850,149

130,763,801

111,033,537

Vessel operating expenses

14,253,734

14,713,363

55,543,547

55,783,562

Terminal & stevedore expenses

1,974,466

1,916,707

9,299,425

5,809,025

General and administrative

6,276,913

5,665,924

24,626,469

22,780,937

Depreciation and amortization

7,766,490

7,524,045

30,375,721

30,070,395

   Loss on sale of vessels

566,315

1,738,511

Total expenses

132,369,729

121,321,701

488,087,632

454,650,637

Income from operations

14,805,048

10,555,216

48,448,614

44,617,197

Other (expense) income:

Interest expense

(4,707,570)

(4,300,627)

(17,073,184)

(17,025,547)

Interest income

588,268

704,220

3,022,593

3,572,134

Loss (income) attributable to Non-controlling
interest recorded as long-term liability interest
expense

(2,682,192)

565,648

(3,103,018)

(462,150)

Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments

851,346

(5,685,406)

(953,042)

(2,925,347)

Other income

198,337

338,849

1,427,530

761,485

Total other expense, net

(5,751,811)

(8,377,316)

(16,679,121)

(16,079,425)

Net income

9,053,237

2,177,900

31,769,493

28,537,772

Income attributable to noncontrolling interests

(617,845)

(1,041,698)

(2,866,110)

(2,214,472)

Net income  attributable to Pangaea Logistics
Solutions Ltd.

$         8,435,392

$         1,136,202

$        28,903,383

$        26,323,300

Earnings per common share:

Basic

$                   0.18

$                   0.03

$                    0.64

$                    0.59

Diluted

$                   0.18

$                   0.03

$                    0.63

$                    0.58

Weighted average shares used to compute
earnings per common share

Basic

45,792,112

44,815,282

45,391,855

44,773,899

Diluted

46,527,775

45,392,225

46,046,044

45,475,453

 

Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd.
Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2024

December 31, 2023

Assets

Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$       86,805,470

$       99,037,866

Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $5,492,901 and $5,657,837 at December 31,
2024 and 2023, respectively)

42,370,830

47,891,501

Inventories

32,848,241

16,556,266

Advance hire, prepaid expenses and other current assets

29,969,352

28,340,246

Total current assets

191,993,893

191,825,879

Fixed assets, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation of $151,951,990 and
$127,015,253, at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively

707,826,328

474,265,171

Finance lease right of use assets, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation of
$10,697,881 and $10,539,384 at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively

28,771,531

30,393,823

Goodwill

3,104,800

3,104,800

Other Non-current Assets

4,760,529

5,590,295

Total assets

$     936,457,081

$     705,179,968

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

Current liabilities

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities

$       46,581,567

$       34,346,202

Related party payable

1,181,015

1,490,060

Deferred revenue

15,447,488

15,629,886

Current portion of long-term debt

16,576,195

30,751,726

Current portion of financing obligations

25,267,105

18,980,512

Current portion of finance lease liabilities

2,843,750

2,989,612

Dividends payable

1,210,991

1,146,321

Total current liabilities

109,108,111

105,334,319

Secured long-term debt, net

112,720,545

68,446,309

Financing Obligations, net

229,529,792

130,037,711

Finance lease liabilities, net

10,434,298

13,229,156

Long-term liabilities – other

17,936,540

Stockholders’ equity:

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued or
outstanding

Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 64,961,433 and
46,466,622 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively

6,498

4,648

Additional paid-in capital

258,659,972

164,854,546

Retained Earnings

169,155,149

159,026,799

Total Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd. equity

427,821,619

323,885,993

Non-controlling interests

46,842,716

46,309,940

Total stockholders’ equity

474,664,335

370,195,933

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$     936,457,081

$     705,179,968

 

Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years ended December 31,

2024

2024

Operating activities

Net income

$          31,769,493

$          28,537,772

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:

Depreciation and amortization expense

30,375,721

30,070,395

Amortization of deferred financing costs

1,033,735

946,593

Amortization of prepaid rent

121,865

121,532

Unrealized loss on derivative instruments

953,042

2,925,347

Income from equity method investee

(1,709,593)

(684,470)

Earnings attributable to non-controlling interest recorded as interest expense

3,103,018

462,150

Provision for doubtful accounts

1,835,064

2,938,879

Loss on sales of vessels

1,738,511

Drydocking costs

(6,202,093)

(4,154,283)

Share-based compensation

2,788,190

2,087,807

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

3,685,607

(14,075,231)

Inventories

(11,030,458)

12,548,170

Advance hire, prepaid expenses and other current assets

(2,688,870)

(342,776)

Accounts payable, accrued expenses, other current liabilities and related party payable

11,839,070

(4,079,047)

Deferred revenue

(182,398)

(5,254,072)

Net cash provided by operating activities

65,691,393

53,787,277

Investing activities

Purchase of vessels and vessel improvements

(69,264,985)

(27,264,044)

Proceeds from sale of vessels

17,271,489

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

(7,200,000)

Purchase of equipment and internal use software

(167,481)

Contributions to non-consolidated subsidiaries

(171,699)

(427,270)

Dividends received from equity method investments

1,910,000

1,637,500

Net cash used in  investing activities

(67,694,165)

(15,982,325)

Financing activities

Proceeds from long-term debt

64,150,000

Payments of financing and issuance costs

(2,043,785)

Payments of long-term debt

(33,082,460)

(15,782,528)

Proceeds from financing obligations

25,000,000

Payments on financing obligations

(19,180,510)

(11,295,522)

Payments of finance leases

(2,989,613)

(8,942,609)

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

(2,333,334)

(10,400,000)

Common stock accrued dividends paid

(18,710,364)

(18,103,750)

Cash paid for incentive compensation shares relinquished

(127,283)

Payments to non-controlling interest recorded as long-term liability

(21,039,558)

(2,500,000)

Net cash used in financing activities

(10,229,624)

(67,151,692)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

(12,232,396)

(29,346,740)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

99,037,866

128,384,606

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$          86,805,470

$          99,037,866

Supplemental cash flow items:

Cash paid for interest

$          17,983,252

$          18,850,078

Acquisition of Strategic Shipping Inc. through issuance of 18,059,342 shares of common stock,
with a value of $91,019,086, as non-cash consideration.

$          91,019,086

$                        —

Fair value of loans and lease liabilities (ASC 842) assumed

$        100,049,292

$                        —

 

Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
(unaudited)

For the three months ended

For the twelve months ended

December 31,
2024

December 31,
2023

December 31,
2024

December 31,
2023

Net Transportation and Service Revenue

Gross Profit

$   21,156,847

$   16,877,815

$    73,184,997

$   69,246,559

Add:

Transportation and service depreciation and amortization

7,691,604

7,433,685

30,265,807

29,960,481

Net transportation and service revenue

$   28,848,451

$   24,311,500

$ 103,450,804

$   99,207,040

Adjusted EBITDA

Net Income

$     9,053,237

$     2,177,900

$    31,769,493

$   28,537,772

Interest expense, net

4,119,302

3,596,407

14,050,591

13,453,413

Income (loss) attributable to Non-controlling interest
recorded as long-term liability interest expense

2,682,192

(565,648)

3,103,018

462,150

Depreciation and amortization

7,766,490

7,524,045

30,375,721

30,070,395

EBITDA

23,621,221

12,732,704

79,298,823

72,523,730

Non-GAAP Adjustments:

Loss on sale of vessels

566,315

1,738,511

Share-based compensation

475,005

694,293

2,788,190

2,087,807

Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments, net

(851,346)

5,685,406

953,042

2,925,347

Other non-recurring items

3,195

448,373

Adjusted EBITDA

$   23,244,880

$   19,681,913

$    83,040,055

$   79,723,768

Earnings Per Common Share

Net income attributable to Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd.

$     8,435,392

$     1,136,202

$    28,903,383

$   26,323,300

Weighted average number of common shares – basic

45,792,112

44,815,282

45,391,855

44,773,899

Weighted average number of common shares – diluted

46,527,775

45,392,225

46,046,044

45,475,453

Earnings per common share – basic

$               0.18

$               0.03

$                0.64

$               0.59

Earnings per common share – diluted

$               0.18

$               0.03

$                0.63

$               0.58

Adjusted EPS

Net income  attributable to Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd.

$     8,435,392

$     1,136,202

$    28,903,383

$   26,323,300

Non-GAAP

Add:

Loss on sale of vessels

566,315

1,738,511

Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments, net

(851,346)

5,685,406

953,042

2,925,347

Other non-recurring items

3,195

448,373

Non-GAAP adjusted net income attributable to Pangaea
Logistics Solutions Ltd.

$     7,584,046

$     7,391,118

$    29,856,425

$   31,435,531

Weighted average number of common shares – basic

45,792,112

44,815,282

45,391,855

44,773,899

Weighted average number of common shares – diluted

46,527,775

45,392,225

46,046,044

45,475,453

Adjusted EPS – basic

$               0.17

$               0.16

$                0.66

$               0.70

Adjusted EPS – diluted

$               0.16

$               0.16

$                0.65

$               0.69

INFORMATION ABOUT NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES. As used herein, “GAAP” refers to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  To supplement our consolidated financial statements prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, this earnings release discusses non-GAAP financial measures, including non-GAAP  net revenue, non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP Adjusted EPS. These are considered non-GAAP financial measures as defined in Rule 101 of Regulation G promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s historical or future performance, financial position, or cash flows that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The presentation of this non-GAAP financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

We use non-GAAP financial measures for internal financial and operational decision making purposes and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons of the performance and results of operations of our core business.  Our management believes that non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the performance of our core business by excluding charges that are not incurred in the normal course of business. Non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management’s internal planning and comparisons to our historical performance and liquidity.  We believe certain non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors as they allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in its financial and operational decision making and are used by our institutional investors and the analyst community to help them analyze the performance and operational results of our core business.

Gross Profit. Gross profit represents total revenue less net transportation and service revenue and less vessel depreciation and amortization.

Net transportation and service revenue. Net transportation and service revenue represents total revenue less the total direct costs of transportation and services, which includes charter hire, voyage and vessel operating expenses. Net transportation and service revenue is included because it is used by management and certain investors to measure performance by comparison to other logistic service providers. Net transportation and service revenue is not an item recognized by the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP, and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income, or any other indicator of a company’s operating performance required by U.S. GAAP. Pangaea’s definition of net transportation and service revenue used here may not be comparable to an operating measure used by other companies.

Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS. Adjusted EBITDA represents net income (or loss), determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, excluding interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, loss on sale and leaseback of vessels, share-based compensation and other non-operating income and/or expense, if any. Earnings per share represents net income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Adjusted earnings per share represents net income attributable to Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd. plus, when applicable, loss on sale of vessel, loss on sale and leaseback of vessel, loss on impairment of vessel, unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments, and certain non-recurring charges, divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock.

There are limitations related to the use of net revenue versus income from operations, adjusted EBITDA versus income from operations, and adjusted EPS versus EPS calculated in accordance with GAAP.  In particular, Pangaea’s definition of adjusted EBITDA used here are not comparable to EBITDA.

The table set forth above provides a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures presented to the most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

About Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd.

Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd. (NASDAQ: PANL) and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Pangaea” or the “Company”) provides seaborne drybulk logistics and transportation services as well as terminal and stevedoring services. Pangaea utilizes its logistics expertise to service a broad base of industrial customers who require the transportation of a wide variety of drybulk cargoes, including grains, coal, iron ore, pig iron, hot briquetted iron, bauxite, alumina, cement clinker, dolomite and limestone. The Company addresses the logistics needs of its customers by undertaking a comprehensive set of services and activities, including cargo loading, cargo discharge, port and terminal operations, vessel chartering, voyage planning, and vessel technical management. Learn more at www.pangaeals.com.

Investor Relations Contacts

Gianni Del Signore

Noel Ryan or Stefan Neely

Chief Financial Officer          

401-846-7790

Investors@pangaeals.com

PANL@val-adv.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risk factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise these statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.  Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for dry bulk shipping capacity, changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, dry-docking and insurance costs, the market for our vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, charter counterparty performance, ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in such financing arrangements, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other factors, as well as other risks that have been included in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which are available at www.sec.gov

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SOURCE Pangaea Logistics Solutions LTD

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China on track to achieve growth target for 2025, say experts and business leaders

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BEIJING, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from chinadaily.com.cn:

China is expected to achieve its annual growth target of around 5 percent this year and present more business opportunities for both domestic and foreign companies, with its intensified efforts to spur innovation and further boost consumption and investment, economists and business leaders said at the “CEO: Grow with China” Roundtable hosted by China Daily on Friday.

“China’s economy is right on track to meet its preset annual growth target of around 5 percent for 2025, supported by its ultra-large domestic market, strong innovation capability, as well as a string of supportive policies aimed at boosting consumption and emerging industry investment,” said Lin Shen, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ Institute of World Economics and Politics.

Government policies aimed at fostering innovation and developing emerging industries have been steadily implemented. Fiscal policies and other innovation-friendly measures will play a crucial role in sustaining economic growth throughout the year, Lin said.

Lin highlighted the structural shifts in the economy, where new growth drivers are replacing old ones, and stressed that new quality productive forces, including AI-powered manufacturing, have begun to take hold. “Our new quality productive forces, coupled with AI empowerment, have integrated well with the manufacturing and the real economy. There will be significant progress in application scenarios.”

“Even though there are certain geopolitical headwinds, we are still very optimistic about China’s economic prospects this year as the country’s fiscal and monetary policies go hand in hand,” said Ole Gerdau, chief operating officer at Deutsche Bank China.

According to him, consumption will be the key driver of the economy, roughly contributing to two-thirds of China’s growth this year. The trade-in program, for which funding has been doubled, is expected to have a positive impact on consumption.

Gerdau said the emergence of Chinese AI startup DeepSeek is changing people’s perception about China’s innovation strength and technological advancements. “This creates a wake-up moment for the world that now might be the time to invest in China. We expect this year to be the turning point where international investors are going to shift their focuses and have a higher allocation into the Chinese market,” he said.

China is prioritizing new quality productive forces and enhancing financial services to enterprises in its economic agenda for the year, as policymakers announced recently the rollout of a raft of supportive measures aimed at creating new growth drivers for the world’s second-largest economy.

The People’s Bank of China, the country’s central bank, said late on Thursday that it will reduce the reserve requirement ratio and interest rates as appropriate based on the domestic and international economic and financial situation as well as the performance of financial markets.

The A-share benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rose 1.81 percent to close at 3419.56 points on Friday, while the ChiNext Index, tracking China’s Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, jumped 2.8 percent to close at 2226.72 points.

The National Development and Reform Commission recently announced that it would establish a national venture capital guidance fund, with the goal of enhancing, strengthening and expanding innovative enterprises. The fund is expected to attract nearly 1 trillion yuan ($138 billion) in capital from local governments and the private sector.

The participants at the roundtable emphasized that emerging sectors like artificial intelligence have great potential in China, presenting new opportunities for enterprises.

China’s AI-led innovation is also throwing up opportunities for businesses like Rolls-Royce, said Troy Wang, executive vice-president of Rolls-Royce Greater China.

“China’s focus on innovation-driven growth is making it continue to be an important country for Rolls-Royce, and it’s so much more than just a market for us,” Wang said.

“Rolls-Royce just achieved a record year in 2024 in terms of business performance and we’re confident about 2025,” he said, adding that the company is building Beijing Aero Engine Services Co Ltd, a joint venture in Beijing, into a world-leading digitally enabled aeronautical engine repair and overhaul shop.

Rani Jarkas, chairman of Cedrus Group, said that the development of AI requires a large amount of electricity, chips, and applications, and China has it all. “Technology speaks for itself,” he said.

“I think the innovation will continue and the opportunities will grow for Chinese companies going abroad and for foreign companies to come to explore the market and set up local units here,” he said.

Huang Yanxiang, co-founder and CEO of Shanghai CarbonNewture and ESG expert, said the current wave of AI-led innovation in China is transforming industries by integrating AI with manufacturing, boosting efficiency, and giving rise to new business models. For CarbonNewture, this means deeply integrating AI into its carbon accounting platforms, improving data analysis and reporting capabilities to deliver more precise and actionable insights.

The roundtable was jointly organized by China Daily Institute for Corporate Communication and China Services Information Platform.

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SOURCE chinadaily.com.cn

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NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 Launches to International Space Station

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WASHINGTON, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Four crew members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission launched at 7:03 p.m. EDT Friday from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a science expedition aboard the International Space Station.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket propelled the Dragon spacecraft into orbit carrying NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. The spacecraft will dock autonomously to the forward-facing port of the station’s Harmony module at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 15. Shortly after docking, the crew will join Expedition 72/73 for a long-duration stay aboard the orbiting laboratory.

“Congratulations to our NASA and SpaceX teams on the 10th crew rotation mission under our commercial crew partnership. This milestone demonstrates NASA’s continued commitment to advancing American leadership in space and driving growth in our national space economy,” said NASA acting Administrator Janet Petro. “Through these missions, we are laying the foundation for future exploration, from low Earth orbit to the Moon and Mars. Our international crew will contribute to innovative science research and technology development, delivering benefits to all humanity.”

During Dragon’s flight, SpaceX will monitor a series of automatic spacecraft maneuvers from its mission control center in Hawthorne, California. NASA will monitor space station operations throughout the flight from the Mission Control Center at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

NASA’s live coverage resumes at 9:45 p.m., March 15, on NASA+ with rendezvous, docking, and hatching opening. After docking, the crew will change out of their spacesuits and prepare cargo for offload before opening the hatch between Dragon and the space station’s Harmony module around 1:05 a.m., Sunday, March 16. Once the new crew is aboard the orbital outpost, NASA will broadcast welcome remarks from Crew-10 and farewell remarks from the agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 crew, beginning at about 1:40 a.m.

Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of platforms, including social media.

The number of crew aboard the space station will increase to 11 for a short time as Crew-10 joins NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and Don Pettit, as well as Roscosmos cosmonauts Aleksandr Gorbunov, Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner. Following a brief handover period, Hague, Williams, Wilmore, and Gorbunov will return to Earth no earlier than Wednesday, March 19.Ahead of Crew-9’s departure from station, mission teams will review weather conditions at the splashdown sites off the coast of Florida. 

During their mission, Crew-10 is scheduled to conduct material flammability tests to contribute to future spacecraft and facility designs. The crew will engage with students worldwide via the ISS Ham Radio program and use the program’s existing hardware to test a backup lunar navigation solution. The astronauts also will serve as test subjects, with one crew member conducting an integrated study to better understand physiological and psychological changes to the human body to provide valuable insights for future deep space missions.

With this mission, NASA continues to maximize the use of the orbiting laboratory, where people have lived and worked continuously for more than 24 years, testing technologies, performing science, and developing the skills needed to operate future commercial destinations in low Earth orbit and explore farther from our home planet. Research conducted at the space station benefits people on Earth and paves the way for future long-duration missions to the Moon under NASA’s Artemis campaign and beyond.

More about Crew-10
McClain is the commander of Crew-10 and is making her second trip to the orbital outpost since her selection as an astronaut in 2013. She will serve as a flight engineer during Expeditions 72/73 aboard the space station. Follow McClain on X.

Ayers is the pilot of Crew-10 and is flying her first mission. Selected as an astronaut in 2021, Ayers will serve as a flight engineer during Expeditions 72/73. Follow Ayers on X and Instagram.

Onishi is a mission specialist for Crew-10 and is making his second flight to the space station. He will serve as a flight engineer during Expeditions 72/73. Follow Onishi on X.

Peskov is a mission specialist for Crew-10 and is making his first flight to the space station. Peskov will serve as a flight engineer during Expeditions 72/73.

Learn more about NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission and the agency’s Commercial Crew Program at:

https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew 

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SOURCE NASA

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CASEKOO: Explore The Luminous Enigma and Let the enchanting artistry of Tarot Ignite your Intuition and Enlightenment.

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LOS ANGELES, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — CASEKOO recently hosted an enchanting “Tarot and Tea” soirée in Sai Wan, Hong Kong, to celebrate the grand launch of its collaborative collection, The Luminous Enigma series. This exquisite line of four phone cases, crafted in partnership with COCORRINA and renowned Tarot Reader Peter, draws inspiration from the celestial symbolism of the Sun and Moon tarot cards. The event welcomed passersby with open arms, offering each guest a comforting cup of spiced apple cinnamon tea upon entering the park. While many attendees were newcomers to the world of tarot, they were captivated by the intricate designs of the phone cases and the mystical allure of tarot itself. CASEKOO also unveiled the stories behind the collection, sharing the profound insights and intentions the designers imbued into each piece, hoping to inspire those who carry these cases to connect with their deeper meanings.

The Helios and Celene cases were born from the breathtaking beauty of Kefalonia, an island that holds deep personal significance for Corina, the visionary designer behind COCORRINA. Each morning, she finds herself nourished by the Sun’s radiant energy, feeling a harmonious connection with the natural world. By night, she is guided by the Moon’s gentle glow and the vast expanse of the sky, navigating life’s ebbs and flows with grace. Through these meticulously crafted cases, Corina invites consumers to experience the celestial wonders that illuminate her daily life, offering a glimpse into her world with every creation.

Meanwhile, the Illuminating Sunlight and Midnight Moonlight designs were inspired by Tarot Reader Peter’s profound connection to the Sun’s boundless warmth and the Moon’s quiet magic. The phrase “Let the sun shine heal you” encapsulates the Sun’s restorative power, encouraging resilience and positivity in the face of life’s challenges. Conversely, the Moon-inspired designs whisper “Embrace the Unknown,” a gentle reminder to trust one’s intuition, while “You look so beautiful tonight” celebrates the profound beauty found in darkness and the depths of emotion. Each piece in the collection pays homage to the enchanting interplay between the Sun’s life-giving energy and the Moon’s captivating mystique, offering a timeless connection to the cosmos and its profound duality.

Both designers, Corina and Peter, wish for more people to experience the breathtaking and awe-inspiring sights of the sun and moon that they cherish. They hope that whoever carries these cases will be enveloped in the sun’s positive energy and drawn to the moon’s enchanting gravity, finding inspiration and balance in their celestial harmony. Together, CASEKOO hopes that the owners of these cases will embrace the beauty of tarot, feeling their mysterious power and carrying it with them wherever they go.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/casekoo-explore-the-luminous-enigma-and-let-the-enchanting-artistry-of-tarot-ignite-your-intuition-and-enlightenment-302398220.html

SOURCE CASEKOO

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