Freight Markets
Rates still being held down
Is it the start of a new merger wave? Many things tend to prove that our dry bulk markets have already entered into an M&A cycle. This state of facts is even reinforced by the downward trend recorded
Some falls but outlook remains fair
Despite a start to the year that was not as "red hot" as last year on dry bulk shipping markets, optimism still seems to be prevailing among raw material producers. Last week some good prospects have
Looking ahead in 2006
Will 2006 be the year for coal? Since 2003 the dry bulk market has been mainly driven by the Chinese iron ore boom which is not finished but will certainly know a more moderate growth. Higher oil pric
As the holiday season approaches...
The dry bulk market seems to be steadying in this end-of-year period. In these rather still waters and approaching the end of the year it’s a good time to make a point on the fleet evolution. Th
Some good signs in Panamax and Handy sectors
Despite the fact that Cape rates fell last week, there is so far no sign of a global and harsh collapse of the market as Panamax and Handymax rates did not take the same direction. The "war of informa
Stronger signs in Panamax sector
Difficult to see where the market is going with mixed signals still the order of the day, unusual times, particularly in the heart of the winter period when things are usually a bit more obvious. In t
Dry bulk stability despite rate falls
While most rates had taken a southbound direction by mid week, pessimism does not seem to have spread out as far as the whole industry. One significant announcement has been made this week by a major
Markets still lack direction
Despite some improvement on the Capesize front the dry bulk market is still lacking direction particularly if we compare it to last year during the same period when rates were rocketing towards unprec
Activity levels down
In a market that lacks direction, the news coming from China is also playing on shipping players’ nerves. First the lobbying body of local steel makers, the CISA, announced that 48 producers "pl
Activity levels down
In a market that lacks direction, the news coming from China is also playing on shipping players’ nerves. First the lobbying body of local steel makers, the CISA, announced that 48 producers "pl
Market declines in evidence
More ships in the short term but more cargoes in the longer term. Rates have been dragged down this week by a list of prompt ships becoming longer than the number of stems to cover, particularly in th
Some more signs of winter rate rises
Despite rather normal volumes on the market this week people are getting a bit nervous as rates, however, have been on the rise, which could signal a stronger winter upturn than initially expected. On
Mixed signals from the markets
After both the Atlantic and Pacific Capesize markets softened a little bit, there were, however, some signs at the end of last week showing for a slightly stronger trend this week, especially within t
Winter months point to higher freights
By the end of the week, while dry bulk markets have started marking a pause in the quite strong rise they’ve enjoyed over the last three weeks, players prepare themselves to further rise in fre
Higher freights expected this winter
By the end of the week, while dry bulk markets have started marking a pause in the quite strong rise they’ve enjoyed over the last three weeks, players prepare themselves to further rise in fre
New deliveries will probably influence rate trends
After eight months of already intense shipbuilding activity, the rest of the year could see almost the same pace of tonnage addition which means, more than one Cape size vessel delivered per week, nea