The dry bulk market has been experiencing its long-awaited rally, with the Baltic Dry Index, the industry's benchmark rising to healthier levels for ship owners. Yesterday, the BDI rose by an additional 35 points to 1,062, with Capesizes once again stealing the show, as the Baltic Capesize Index rose by 90 points to reach 1,912 points. According to the latest weekly report from Commodore Research & Consultancy, global spot chartering activity remained firm last week, which allowed dry bulk freight rates to find greater support. In total, 110 vessels were chartered to haul dry bulk commodities in the spot market last week, the same amount as the previous week. In addition, 10 vessels were chartered for period deals, 5 more than the previous week.
According to the analyst, "Capesize rates have been able to find the largest amount of support, as we have been anticipating, as capesize fleet growth has remained low. We continue to believe that as the months progress, the impact of low Capesize growth will become more pronounced in the market. We remain cautious for the Panamax market, however, as more Panamax vessels are set to continue to be delivered this year than any other type of dry bulk vessel". According to Commodore Research & Consultancy, "in China, demand for imported thermal coal in the spot market has remained under pressure as we have predicted. 7 vessels were chartered to haul thermal coal to Chinese buyers last week, 2 less than the previous week and 6 less than the trailing four week average. Qinhuangdao coal port stockpiles have risen above the critical 7 million ton level, which has caused demand for imported coal cargoes to decrease.
In the iron ore market, 25 vessels were chartered to haul iron ore to Chinese buyers last week, 10 more than the previous week and 10 more than the trailing four week average. This is the largest amount of Chinese iron ore fixtures to have surfaced since the Week Ending February 8. Various other developments including Taiwan agreeing to allow wheat imports from the US North Pacific, Indian electricity production setting another new record, and global steel prices remaining relatively low will also affect the market and are discussed in greater detail in the remainder of this week’s report. Approximately 145 vessels are anchored outside major Australian coal and iron ore ports, 20 more than a week ago. Approximately 45 vessels are anchored outside major Brazilian iron ore ports, 5 more than a week ago. Of the 190 vessels congested at major Australian and Brazilian coal and iron ore ports, approximately 140 of them are capesize vessels. In comparison, approximately 120 capesize vessels were anchored
outside major Australian and Brazilian coal and iron ore ports a week ago" the analyst mentioned.
Meanwhile, South American grain and Indonesian coal fixture volume fell last week, which has caused the pace of growth in panamax rates to slow. It remains likely that the recent surge in South American grain fixtures and congestion at grain ports has helped panamax rates find support even though panamax fleet growth remains high. As South American grain fixtures and congestion stabilize, panamax rates could come under renewed pressure. Also hindering the panamax market is the recent decline in Chinese thermal coal fixture volume, which has come as a result of further coal stockpiling at the port of Qinhuangdao". Commodore said.
OUTLOOK
"Going forward, we remain bullish for the capesize market especially for the second half of the year. The Capesize market continues to benefit from low fleet growth, and as the months progress, the impact of low growth will become even more pronounced. We continue to believe that as long as Chinese demand for iron ore is strong during the second half of this year, then Capesize rates will find sustained support. It is also important to recognize the surge in Capesize rates that occurred during late 2012. As we discussed last year, and have highlighted in several reports this year, Capesize rates were able to find sustained support during the fourth quarter of last year as the Capesize fleet grew by an average net addition of only 3 vessels during August through December. In comparison, the previous seven months saw the Capesize fleet grow by a much larger average net addition of 16 vessels during January through July. So far this year, the Capesize fleet has been growing by an average net addition of approximately 5 vessels", Commodore predicted.
It concluded its argument by noting that "after a few months of low Capesize fleet growth last year, Cape rates were finally able to rise above $9,000/day by early October and then stayed above $13,000/day for seven straight weeks. This was a tremendous achievement considering that Cape rates stayed at depressed levels throughout the first three quarters of last year. For this year, we believe the Capesize market is showing signs of recovery that first were glimpsed during October of last year. While there will surely be fluctuation at times, it is likely that Capesize rates will find a good deal of strength during the second half of the year -- as long as Chinese demand for imported iron ore is strong. While it has been troubling that Chinese steel output has exceeded demand during several months this year, it is encouraging that Chinese iron ore imports have remained firm as spot iron ore import prices have stayed low. Overall, we believe iron ore import prices will stay low due to ongoing increases in global iron ore production. Low iron ore prices, robust iron ore imports, and low Capesize fleet would help Capesize rates find even greater support".