Capesize Index

SS&Y's Capesize Indices Drop

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index fell 45 points to 4,060 in the week ending Jan. 24. "A fresh decline in the Pacific Capesize Index this week indicated that the market has turned in the charterers' favor. Although we feel that this is only a temporary change in direction," SS&Y reported. "The demand forecasts from Asia and Japan in particular remain bullish towards the back end of the first quarter," SS&Y added. SS&Y's Atlantic Capesize Index fell 71 points to 4,248 in the same week. "The Atlantic Capesize index lost another 71 points this week and has dropped 213 points since the start of the year, but we feel that this is line with our predictions of some months ago, and that it will begin to rise again around the latter part of the first quarter," SS&Y reported. "However, Richards Bay bucked the trend of falling rates with a 10 cent rise, and despite the market appearing to be in the charterers favor, the fine balance between supply/demand means that this could change in an instant," SS&Y added.

SS&Y Indices Fall

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index fell 54 points and its Atlantic Capesize Index fell 79 points in the week ending Monday to 5,123.

SS&Y's Pacific Capesize Index Rises 37 Points

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index rose 37 points to 3,287 in the week ending Sept. 27. "Cargoes uncovered for October helped to steady rates and even saw a slight improvement in places, which led to a modest 37 point gain in this week's index," SS&Y reported.

SS&Y Pacific Capesize Index Down 12 Points

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index was down 12 points to 4,282 in the week ending Nov. 22. "Short-term prospects remain good as the plethora of Chinese enquiry is not fully covered yet, as well as some Atlantic-bound cargoes for December, which leaves a few opportunities for owners," SS&Y reported. "The firm tone should prevail over the coming week but thereafter the market will need fresh inquiry

SS&Y Indices Push Higher

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index rose 123 points in the week ending Monday to 5,726. "A major resurgence from Japanese interests heated the spot market in the Pacific with rates rising accordingly. Because of the tightened supply situation any new interest will boost the market," SS&Y said. "Several charterers have already covered early November positions, but enquiries are still relatively plentiful leading to a conclusion of continued strength in the Pacific for

Dry Bulk Index Continues Decline

The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) fell 16 points to 1,452, the Baltic Panamax Index (BPI) lost 25 points to 1,553, the Baltic Handymax Index (BHI) eased 46 points to 9,527 and the Baltic Capesize Index (BCI) was down 17 points to 1,744. - (Reuters)

Capesize, Panamax Markets Remain Firm

The dry cargo freight market remained firm for Capesize tonnage worldwide and for Panamaxes in the east, brokers said mid last week. Conditions remained weak for Panamaxes and Handysizes but grain brokers reported a substantial amount of fresh Atlantic grain. However, for Handysizes in particular the Continent and Mediterranean were difficult areas for owners. The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) and Baltic Panamax Index rose 28 points to 1,393 and 1,348 respectively

Dry Bulk Trends

Change Of Sentiment Seen In Atlantic Sector The dry cargo freight market saw a 15 point decline in the Baltic Panamax Index to 1,595, which was largely caused by a change of sentiment in the Atlantic, brokers said. March tonnage in the U.S. Gulf was struggling to obtain previously fixed levels and rates to the Far East in particular were lower, they added. Capesize rates remained steady but handy sizes were in stronger demand world-wide and there were signs that the hitherto depressed

Stiff Rate Increases Seen For Atlantic Capers

Some stiff rate increases for Atlantic capers were seen for business to China and for trans-Atlantic coal, brokers said last Wednesday. Panamax rates were still drifting from the U.S. Gulf due to lack of orders, but levels in the Far East for these vessels remained firmer, they added. Conditions for handy size vessels and to a lesser extent smaller geared tonnage, were generally better in the Atlantic. The Baltic Freight Index (BFI) rose six points to 1,223

Star Bulk FFA Transactions, Private Placement

Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (Nasdaq: SBLK), a global shipping company focusing on the transportation of dry bulk cargoes announced that the company has sold contracts in the Freight Forward Agreement ("FFA") market on the Capesize index for Calendar 2009 for a total of 360 calendar days with an average rate of approximately $19,900 per day. The Capesize index refers to a modern Capesize dry bulk carrier. The contracts are intended to serve as an approximate hedge for one of the