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 …

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 …

Capesize rates gains despite mixed market outlook

Market participants were in doubt if the Capesize market would continue to enjoy higher rates over potential supply outages from Brazil. The expected lower volume from Brazil was met with high iron ore prices that firmed up rates as the Capesize 5 time charter average jumped by $141 to $3,369 on Friday. The jump was …

Oil tries again to accentuate the positives

Brent crude was unchanged at $37.84 a barrel, in the first day of trading in the contract with August as the front month. WTI crude futures for July delivery were at $35.53 a barrel, up 4 cents, or 0.1%, by 0629 GMT. OPEC+ is set to discuss a short extension of its current output cuts, …

Capesize rates drag by long tonnage list

Sluggish Pacific and Atlantic had dragged down Capesize rates and reversed much of the gains that occurred in previous week. By Thursday, the Capesize 5 time charter average went down further by $558 to $3,228, despite more buyers entry at the afternoon session in trying to lift the market. Given the volatile Capesize rates and …

Ship Shape: The End of the Road

One thing that has confusingly held true up to now was that, against all the trends of many other commodities and market, iron ore kept on rising. It has been the black sheep of the markets, standing there, teeth gritted, weathering the storm that had swept away many other markets. However, just as other markets …