Coal news and updates

Dry bulk: Markets have continued to be severely challenged

The dry bulk markets have continued to be severely challenged with freight rates falling during the period to below operating expense. The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) reached its lowest point since 1985 and the average BDI was 43% weaker compared to the prior year. The period markets traded at a slight premium to the spot markets and the freight market remained heavily weighted down under an oversupplied fleet and a slowdown in seaborne demand, says Clarksons.

According to Clarksons , the net fleet growth slowed to 7m dwt, 1% year-to-date, as demolition reached a record 20m dwt and new deliveries slowed to 27m dwt. Dry bulk seaborne demand suffered alongside the decline in China’s industrial production. Steel and cement production declined by 1.3% and 5.3% respectively, both contributing to the decline in thermal power demand, which in turn led to the decline in coal imports. Iron ore imports also suffered but to a lesser degree as low cost ore from Australia and Brazil substituted high cost domestic and international supplies.

Clarksons further noted that, seaborne demand is expected to increase during the second half of 2015, after a 15 month destocking period in China, at the same time as significant slowing in fleet growth. Structurally the market is however still oversupplied which is evident in the average vessel speed which is approximately 2 knots below the optimum market speed. An improvement in world GDP and a slower fleet growth will in the medium-term create a stronger freight market and ultimately a sustained recovery.

source: http://coalspot.com