Iron Ore Steady as Supply Concern, Import Rules Mulled

Iron ore futures in Singapore were steady Thursday amid heightened concern over supply of the steelmaking raw material and the flagging of new import rules by China. Prices could test $120/ton as global supply is failing to keep pace with resilient consumption, according to Morgans Financial Ltd. Brazil iron ore shipments had their slowest start …

China Simplifies Iron Ore Import Rules Amid Australia Virus Spat

China streamlined its inspection rules for iron ore imports amid increasing debate about whether the $43 billion trade between the two nations will be caught up in their escalating spat. While the Global Times — a tabloid run by the flagship newspaper of the Communist Party — said the simplification of rules is aimed at …

German shipping industry heavily impacted by coronavirus pandemic

Revenues of German shipping companies declined by 30 to 40 percent on average in March and April, according to a company survey published by the German Shipowners’ Association (VDR) on Tuesday. At the same time, 44 percent of shipping companies were already recording a “substantial impairment” of their liquidity, according to the survey among 50 …

Capesize continues the good run with better demand

Capesize market rebound to better shipping demand, with improving freight rates in both the Atlantic and Pacific basins. Thus, the Capesize 5 time charter average rose by $587 to $3,462 on Tuesday, as some trade participants believed that the market had bottomed out. Buoyed by the better Capesize market, the Baltic Dry Index rose over …

DCE gains despite slowing rally

Chinese futures hiked to slight gain on Wednesday, as the iron ore rally slowed after six consecutive days of positive run. The most-actively traded iron ore futures on the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE), for September delivery, went up slightly by 0.93% day-on-day to RMB 704.50 per tonne on Wednesday. On the contrary, the steel rebar …

Oil Rally Stalls With Fed Warning Countering Production Cuts

Oil steadied after a four-day gain as investors weighed signs the market is rebalancing against what’s still a precarious economic outlook. Futures in New York for July delivery edged above $32 a barrel after the June contract closed at a 10-week high as it expired. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell warned Americans could start losing …

Dalian Corn Futures Drop to Lowest Level Since March

Corn futures in Dalian fell to the lowest intraday level in almost two months amid speculation over the possibility of more import quotas and as the market awaits a delayed auction from state reserves. China is likely to utilize its entire low-tariff corn import quota of 7.2 million tons this year due to attractive import …

Zinc Falls From 3-Month High on Rising Supply

Zinc retreated from its highest close since February as pandemic-driven supply disruptions ease. Zinc’s backwardation on the London Metal Exchange narrowed Tuesday in a sign that supply is set to recover. Mines are gradually resuming production as virus restrictions ease and Chinese smelters are boosting runs. Investors will focus on China’s policy-setting National People’s Congress …

China May Tighten Australian Coal Imports Amid Tensions

China may tighten Australian coal imports amid recent tensions between the two countries, according to a daily note from China Coal Market, which is affiliated with China Coal Transport and Distribution Association. * If the curbs are put in place, Australian coal prices will be hit, said the note * NOTE: China targeted Australian coal …

Iron Ore Gains as Mills Shell Out Premium in Tight Market

Iron ore is on an extraordinary rally this month as growing optimism about China stimulus fuels a market already concerned about one of its biggest suppliers. The futures contract in China has surged more than 16% in May alone as stronger-than-expected demand combined with Brazil’s emergence as the world’s new coronavirus hotspot, spurring concerns that …