When contemplating the, admittedly rough, start to the year, it is important to also reflect on how the previous year ended; in 2022, China managed a mere 3% growth in its GDP, registering one of its worst performances in nearly half a century and same was reflected on the Baltic Dry Index with its downward spiral carried over in 2023.

Whether the strength can be maintained or is a short-term correction remains to be seen, but indicators are pointing towards positive momentum.

Baltic Dry Index drops to four-month low of 1,096 points as sentiment for the global economy weakens. Panamaxes lead fall as spot vessels struggle to find employment, followed by supramaxes and handysizes. Dry bulk markets are expected to remain weak until after the Chinese New Year.

No doubt the summer that sadly has come to an end was disappointing for most dry bulk shipowners that saw their daily earnings dropping steeply and witnessed the BDI at 2-year lows.

Container export growth drops; imports of crude, iron ore, LNG under pressure

From peak to trough, the current downturn in the capesize index has been described by analysts at brokers Arrow as one of the sharpest since 2008, the year big bulkers went from six-digit territory to loss-making in the wake of the collapse of the bank, Lehman Brothers. 

The panamax bulker market had a good day on Tuesday thanks to supply constraints and grain expectations out of the Americas, while the rest of dry bulk shipping lost some ground.

The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index snapped a three-session long streak of gains on Tuesday, due to a fall in capesize and supramax rates.

China and India look to boost coal imports as EU plans to ban the fossil fuel from Russia in August

Pittas says dearth of orders likely to continue, meaning conventional fleet may not be replaced by fuel-efficient vessels for ‘quite some time’

On International Women in Maritime Day, TradeWinds asked women from across the industry for real-world perspectives on change

Amid a climate of increased uncertainty fuelled by a variety of admittedly worrying factors, investors’ appetite for newbuilding orders in the dry bulk segment remains relatively controlled, thus offering ground for low fleet growth and utilization projections.

Most newbuilding orders so far this year have been for ultramaxes and kamsarmaxes, EastGate Shipping says

While the world observes the unfortunate escalation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ripple effect that it is causing in the supply chain of key commodities, this report examines how the disturbing events in Ukraine can affect grain cargo flows and the dry bulk freight market.

The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk sea freight index fell on Thursday, as a dip in capesize rates outweighed gains in the panamax and supramax segments.

Commercial ships are being advised of the high risk operating in the Black Sea following Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine, with various reports of missile attacks on commercial ship, plus warning of the waters containing mines.

Despite the long road that lies ahead, after years of lobbying efforts there is finally a shift in the collective mindset of the shipping industry to put more emphasis on its carbon footprint. This report highlights key regulations, actions and initiatives that shape the green shipping narrative.

Shipping futures indicates further gains across bulker sector as China starts to return to ‘business as usual’

Enquiry in the market is also based on speculation for higher spot markets later in the year, brokers say

Seasonality and inclement weather should continue to weigh on dry bulk shipping for the next few weeks, particularly the capesize sector, according to market experts.

Μπορεί η ναυλαγορά των bulk carriers να σημείωσε διόρθωση τους τελευταίους μήνες, αλλά τα έσοδα παραμένουν σε ικανοποιητικά επίπεδα, κάτι που αξιοποιούν Έλληνες εφοπλιστές «κλειδώνοντας» τα βαπόρια τους σε μακροχρόνιες συμφωνίες.

The market could see a continuation of 2021’s trends, including congestion as a result of coronavirus-related restrictions and weather-related disruption, which boosted rates, say market participants. However, wild cards remain in the shape of coal and iron ore trades

But experts do not expect the ban to continue, because country has too much at stake

Analysts expect mixed picture of lower demand for bulkers and low fleet growth in 2022