Shipping & Freight

The Baltic Exchange dry bulk index fell 42 points or 1.5% to 2,729 on June 11, marking its tenth consecutive decline and lowest level since May 1. Capesize rates dropped 3.7% to 4,140 while Panamax and Supramax edged higher. The move reflects cooling demand for larger vessels carrying iron ore and coal. Read →

The Baltic Exchange US Gulf-China VLCC index stands at $96,826 per day, up 278% year-on-year and stable for two months. Spot rates for crude tankers have reached an equilibrium that delivers strong earnings for owners despite ongoing Hormuz disruptions. The stability comes as geopolitical tensions limit full normalisation of tonne-miles. Read →

The Suez Canal Authority will raise temporary surcharges on transit dues by 12 percentage points from July 15 for LNG/LPG carriers, containerships, crude and product tankers, and dry bulk vessels. Laden crude tankers face the steepest add-on at 37%. The hikes increase costs for any vessels still using the canal route amid Red Sea risks. Read →

The Baltic Dry Index fell 3.4% to 2,818 points on June 9, its lowest since May 1 and eighth straight decline, driven by weakness in Capesize rates. Capesize earnings dropped sharply while smaller segments showed minor gains. The move signals cooling demand for larger dry-bulk vessels hauling iron ore and coal. Read →

The Baltic Dry Index declined 3.4% to 2,818 points on Tuesday, its longest losing streak since mid-January, as demand cooled in larger vessel segments after a multi-month rally. The gauge tracks rates for Capesize, Panamax and Supramax ships moving raw materials. This follows the index reaching highs not seen since late 2023. Read →

Baltic Exchange TD3C MEG-China VLCC index reached $423,736 per day, lifting the global VLCC average to $280,941 per day, the highest since at least 2008. Suezmax rates also surged, with MEG-Med more than tripling. The spike follows geopolitical disruptions boosting Middle East Gulf tanker demand. Read →

The Baltic Exchange dry bulk index fell 98 points or 3.4% to 2,818 on June 9, its lowest since May 1. Capesize slipped 5.9% to 4,441 while Panamax eased 0.6% to 2,205; Supramax rose 1.1% to 1,614. The sustained weakness in larger vessel segments pressures iron ore and coal freight rates. Read →

The Baltic Dry Index decreased by 98 points to 2,818 points on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. The index tracks freight rates for ships carrying commodities such as coal, grain and iron ore. It has now declined for eight consecutive sessions. Read →

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis announced a ban on Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea on Monday. The move adds pressure to Middle East shipping routes already strained by the Iran war and Hormuz disruptions. Red Sea transits remain far below pre-2023 levels, forcing longer reroutes around Africa. Read →

The Baltic Exchange dry bulk index fell 65 points or 2.2% to 2,916 on Monday, its lowest since May 5. Capesize dropped 3.6% to 4,719 and Panamax fell 18 points to 2,218, while supramax edged up. The decline marks the seventh straight session of losses. Read →

Drewry’s World Container Index rose 23% week-on-week to $3,433 per 40-foot container. Shanghai-Los Angeles rates jumped 31% to $4,565 and Shanghai-Rotterdam rose 25% to $3,579. Carriers cite earlier-than-usual peak season, forward cargo shifts ahead of tariffs and fuel adjustments, plus PSS implementation. Read →

The Panama Canal Authority will lower the maximum authorized draft for Neopanamax locks to 49.5 feet TFW effective July 3. The move is a precautionary step over potential El Niño impacts on water levels. It follows recent statements that no restrictions were expected through 2026. Read →

The Baltic Dry Index dropped 2.8% to 3,037 points on Thursday. Capesize earnings fell $1,934 to $42,204 per day. The index posted its sixth consecutive decline and is down 7.5% for the week. Read →

The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk freight index fell 1.8% to 2,981 points, its lowest since May 21. Capesize rates dropped 2.9% to 4,893 points and panamax shed 18 points to 2,236, while supramax rose 4 points. The benchmark slid 7.5% for the week. Read →

Drewry's World Container Index rose 23% to $3,433 per 40ft container. Shanghai-Los Angeles rates climbed 31% to $4,565 and Shanghai-Rotterdam rose 25% to $3,579. Early peak season demand and carrier GRIs are driving the surge. Read →

Drewry WCI jumped 23% this week on Transpacific and Asia-Europe gains. Shanghai to Los Angeles rates rose 31% and Shanghai to New York climbed 20%. Carriers report stronger cargo demand and front-loading ahead of the seasonal peak. Read →