Coal news and updates

Capesize rates push BDI upward

The freight market was buoyant this week as BDI rose 4.14 pct to 1131 points. The cape index was also increased 16.50 pct 2209 points week on week. However, the panamax index was falls 10.02 pct to 1023 points for the same paeriod. The supramax index was at same levels and closed at 899 points while the handy size index was lost 1.17 pct closing at 423 points on 31 July 2015.

The increased activities of cape size vessels supported the firming up of BDI this past week. However the market is expecting that, the Iron Ore demand could be slowing down in coming days and the market could also be softening in the coming weeks.

The next week freight rates are also expected to be steady next week.

The Cape average charter rates were reported at $15,690 per day the end of this week, Panamax at $ 8146 per day, Supramax at $ 9396 per day and Handy size at $ 6222 per day.

In the meantime, the futures for three years (2015-2018) were reported almost similar or closer to current average freight rates. The futures for three years for Cape reported at $15000 per day, Panamax at $ 8500 per day, Supramax at $8500 per day, Handysize at $ 7000 per day.

The S8 route Supramax rates was slightly up or just increased by 0.17 pct week over week and closed at $7059 per day (last week $7047 per day).

Next week’s freight rates from Indonesia to India are expected to be steady.

The Brent Crude oil prices was soft and fell 4.41 pct closing at $ 52.21 per barrel (last week $ 54.62 per barrel). The bunker prices also soft this week and closed at $ 284.00 pmt (IFO 380 cst ex Singapore on 31st July 2015).

Baltic Dry Index (BDI) - UP
Cape index (BCI) - UP
Panamax index (BPI) - DOWN
Supramax index (BSI) - FLAT
Handy index - DOWN
(as of week ended 31 July 2015 (week on week changes))

source: http://coalspot.com