A resurgence of oversupply, coupled with national holidays in various parts of the world has contributed to yet another fall of the dry bulk market during the past 10 consecutive sessions, bringing the industry’s benchmark, the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) down to 878 points yesterday, losing another 26 points or 2.88 percent, which is the lowest since March. The Baltic's capesize index fell by 3.54 percent to 1,252 points with average daily earnings for capesizes, dropping to $4,526. Similarly, The average daily earnings for handysize and supramax ships fell to $8,912 and $10,539, respectively. Finally, Baltic's panamax index dipped 2.23 percent to 877 points, while their average daily earnings fell $162 to $6,976.

In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Fearnleys noted on the Capesize market that history is made as this segment hits its absolute lows so far this year. With average spot earnings falling another 15% w-o-w to come in at USD 4500/day and demand continuing to be far from sufficient to employ a growing fleet, tonnage keeps piling up in all areas. Atlantic is taking the hardest hit, as ore and particularly coal exports have to a large extent become paralyzed by traders panicking in their efforts to sell cargoes already loaded and bound for China. An ongoing Euro crisis coupled with negative news from the Chinese steel industry gives no reason to expect conditions to improve near-term - clearly reflected in FFA levels - and rates for modern 175,000-tonners are now down to well below USD 10k for 5-8 months mentioned Fearnleys.

On the Panamax market it noted that we left last week on a slow note, and continued into this week with the same pace. London was closed on Monday and Tuesday which contributed even further. We hear rumors of at least 30 Panamaxes just lying outside China fully loaded with coal. The traders are not able to sell it due to record high stockpiles in Chinese ports. A few fronthaul orders surfaced in the market and vessels willing to go FEast still achieved quite good rates, whilst transatlantic biz is scarce with most being done on aps or voyage basis. Charterers are rating vessels around 8k for transatlantic biz, and about same levels for Baltic rounds. In the Pacific the rates are low and not a lot of orders in the market. Indo and Pac rounds are paying around 5k. The period market is not very active as few owners are willing to charter out their vessels at the low rates chrtrs are currently offering. Would put short period around 8k for LME´s said Fearnleys.

On the Handy markets, the shipbroker stated that with holidays in some European countries start of the week and Posedonia at the same time, it resulted in less activity compared to last week. Continent positions fetched tick above USD 5k for US Gulf redelivery, and US Gulf fixed close to USD 25k back to Cont. Fronthauls hovered at around USD 19k. The Pacific market has been slipping with still bottom to be found. For Indo-India, large eco Supra now fixed at USD 5k + BB USD 60k basis APS Indonesia. Nickel ore cargoes are not seen in the market anymore due to on-going Indo ban which has again taken away cargoes and putting pressure on the market. Nopac also fixed basis APS at USD 10k + 300k BB. Indian iron ore market remains quiet with less activity; WCI-China rates around USD 8k and ECI-China around USD 5k. RBCT rv fixed at APS USD 11k + BB USD 300k. Red Sea fertilisers to India are fixed high teens. Not much activity seen on short period and rates around USD 9k for large Supra concluded Fearnleys.
Source: Nikos Roussanoglou, Hellenic Shipping