Coal news and updates

Dry Bulk Market keeps its momentum, as outlook improves

Although conditions remain more than challenging, especially from an economic point of view (aka China’s stock worries), the dry bulk market looks set for a solid summer, after a dreadful first half of the year. Demolitions of older bulkers have certainly helped a lot towards alleviating the overflow of tonnage supply, compared to demand. As a result, yesterday, the industry’s benchmark, the Baltic Dry Index ended up by yet another 10 points, to 1,104 points, on the back of slight gains posted since the start of the week. This marks a total of 19 rising sessions over the course of the past 20 sessions.

Capesizes are leading the way, with the Baltic Capesize Index rising by yet another 113 points yesterday to reach 2,103. Commenting on the Capesize market, shipbroker Fearnley’s said in its latest weekly report that “the Capesize market firmed up this week, driven mainly by strong front-haul market and firm pacific fixtures. West Australian market moved up slightly with fixtures concluded at $6.15 on Monday and jumped up to $6.30 on Tuesday. Wednesday saw an overall positive Australian market with prompt fixtures heard done close to mid-$6.

The front-haul TCT market for Brazil/China r/v moved from USD 14,000 level on Monday to USD 16,500 Tuesday and the voyage rate Tubarao to Qingdao peaked in excess of $16.00. Front-haul market on Wednesday continued its firm stance. Few TA fixtures were concluded this week but this does not seem to affect the positive outlook on front-haul”.

On the Panamax market, Fearnley’s said that “after last weeks positive developments ended subdued, this week started in an unclear direction with paper trading up while physical was inactive. Further in the week tonnage list grew longer in the east overweighing demand and seeing rates slip with pac rounds being concluded around 7k. Eco kamsarmaxes getting high 8 k for Nopac. Front-haul has been thin with what little done at levels below last. Grain still the driver. Also Atlantic have seen less activity and lower rates, owners ask 11k while TA being concluded at closer to 10k level. The few active takers for period are holding back and not rating expecting rates to slip further. Short term we expect market will drop further before a new floor established”.

Finally, in the Handy markets, “rates coming off from last week. USG to east med for handy paying USD 25. Modern 35k vessel getting low USD 14k for Recalada to North Spain. Short periods del US Atlantic redel ww paying low 9 k. Fertilizer from Baltic to Brasil fixed at sub USD 20 for 46.00 10pct stem. Ramadan ended with less fresh cargoes than expected. Ultramaxes getting like 10k+ for Indonesia/Eci rounds. Nopac round to Indonesia for Supra concluded at 8k + bb. North China vessels being fixed in the high 5/low 6k levels for backhaul trips”, Fearnley’s concluded.

Meanwhile, in the demolition market this week, which has helped fuel dry bulk freight rates over the past few weeks, through the decomissioning of substantial tonnage, shipbroker Intermodal noted that “amidst exceptionally thin activity, plummeting prices and fears of things getting even worse going forward, the demolition market spent yet another week in desperate search of positive signs that could support sentiment.  The Indian subcontinent market has seen another $15-20/ldt being shed of local bids, while in some cases the discounts were even bigger, scaring away the few potential sellers left in the market. Where does it stop? This seems to be the question on everyone’s mind right now, especially as the end of the Eid holidays seem to have brought no change of appetite in either Bangladesh or Pakistan.

Indian breakers have at the same time stayed on the sidelines for yet another week, with predictions for heavy rains in the following weeks and a weak Rupee adding to the already negative sentiment. Cheap Chinese steel exports remains the main market hurdle that is weighing down on any efforts for a positive market reversal, while the fact that the rebound in dry bulk rates has severely hit the supply of tonnage, is viewed as the only price supporting factor at the moment. Prices this week for wet tonnage were at around $160-345/ldt and dry units received about $140-320/ldt.”, Intermodal concluded.

source: http://coalspot.com