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The future of sugar shipments from Cuba remains uncertain, even though it has been able to ship its May sugar export commitments. Force majeure was declared on Jun 03, 1993, allowing the country not to meet contractual terms because of events beyond its control, but a number of ships trapped by the declaration have been able to load and sail. Difficulties with Cuban sugar have boosted raw sugar values elsewhere, as supplies are very limited at present.

Baltic Exchange board chairman Peter Tudball revealed that the exchange has not decided on whether to accept an insurance settlement for its bomb-damaged St Mary Axe building. Tudball noted that insurers have offered approximately $16.5 million to rebuilding the building but that this amount was below the exchange's estimated cost of $24.5 million. However, he commented that the strong clamor from members to return to the building could play a significant role in the exchange's decision. The St Mary Axe building was destroyed by an Irish Republican Army bomb on Apr 10, 1992.

Maintenance and handling problems with port equipment and a lack of sugar reaching the ports are hurting Cuba's sugar shipments. Delays in sugar shipments are allegedly traced to low harvests while the technical problems arose when Russian advisers left Cuba after the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Bad weather also held back transport of sugar to the ports and added to the delay.