Dry Bulk Freight

The Baltic Briefing

Capesize
The Capesize market made new highs for the year this week after strong iron ore demand to the far east continued to develop in the market. Earnings have lifted from sub operating cost levels under two weeks ago, to now having surged up to have the Capesize 5TC settling at $12,410. Long tonne mile cargoes coming from all regions of the Atlantic have looked to fill the void left in supply by sluggish Brazilian offerings. While Vale may have dialled down on output year to date, they were active in the market this week on Brazil to China activity. Voyage route C3 now sits at $14.91 and the Brazil to China timecharter C14 posts at $13,936. In the Pacific, all major iron ore charterers have been busy. Owners trading options have been increasingly plentiful for one of the first times this year so bid offer spreads have been widened, leading to some periods of inactivity and a wait for one side to blink. The West Australia to China C5 lifted from $5.473 on Monday to close out this week at $6.486.

Panamax
The Panamax market witnessed a substantial recovery this week, despite a lethargic week of activity in Asia and a complex market to call in the Atlantic – at least until midweek when the EC South America market exploded into action. Levels for Australian and NoPac round trips this week hovered around the mid $7,000’s mark for Kamsarmax tonnage, whilst Post panamax tonnage were commanding…Full Story