Capesize – Even Poor Summers give some Sunshine

2020 is taking the phrase annus horribilis to a new level for the Capesize 5tc market. The big sisters rarely have anything to celebrate in the first few months of the year, like a tourist spot emerging from lockdown, owners know that they to make hay when the sun is shining.     Index values …

Iron Ore Futures Consolidate on Supply Outlook

Dalian Iron ore futures have failed for a third day to break the high RMB 775 high that formed on the 01/06/20, bringing a halt to the previous 4-day rally after repeated warnings from financial institutions that the current supply tightness will ease in the later months of the year.     Vale intend to …

Iron ore keeps up top table pressure

Iron ore futures advanced on Wednesday as investors gauged over short-term iron ore supply.   On one hand, Australian miners have been going flat out and the country may be shipping in record volumes. According to initial tally compiled by Bloomberg, shipments from Australia were up by 3.2 million tonnes in May year-on-year to 79.7 …

Capesize firms on better fundamentals

Capesize rates firmed up with improvements seen in both the Pacific and Atlantic basins on better shipping demand.   Higher bunker prices also lent support to the rising freight rates that pushed the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) higher to 546 points, up 5% day-on-day on Tuesday.   Good fundamentals in Pacific market   The Pacific …

Iron ore “could continue to test new highs”

Iron ore futures rallied above $98 on Tuesday on better Chinese outlook and ongoing supply concerns from Brazil. Iron ore port inventories have fallen to a four-year low as China moved past the coronavirus pandemic, prompting Chinese steel mills to ramp up output, boosting demand for iron ore.   The latest Purchasing Manager’s Index for …

Capesize rates hike up amid European holidays

Capesize rates gained slightly despite holidays across Europe that took off several players out of the market. Despite of thin trading, the Capesize 5 time charter average hiked by $279 to $3,648 on Monday, without any noticeable change in the physical market. In the meantime, the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) had gained steadily to 520 …

Vale expected to ship more iron ore to China in 2020

Brazil’s Vale SA expects iron ore shipments to China to rise in 2020, versus 2019, due to falling demand in other countries hurt by the coronavirus pandemic, according to a phone call between the miner and the China Iron and Steel Association. Production at Vale has not been impacted by the pandemic and it is …