Shipping Markets: Dry Cargo Market “Highlights” - Week 49 (03/12/2010 - 10/12/2010)

This was another non-decisive week with the main motive being the total lack of any clear direction and trend. We feel that going this way on our job as analysts becomes really dull and sometimes we feel practically “useless” as not being able to read  and deduct any signals from the super volatile market fluctuations  makes us just wonder how ill or  not is the fate of the Dry Bulk markets? This week’s interesting moves were those of the Capes that made a small shortlived uprise towards the end of last week that momentarily gave us some happy thoughts that were quickly reversed as the index made 4 consecutive falls closing the week with a bitter after-taste. The Panamax size segment has already added more fuel to the existing volatility and has altered the uncertain moving pattern to ups and downs that start now to fluctuate every 2-3 days!!!! It is  rather odd that only the smaller sizes the Supramaxes and the Handysize ships are on a constant upward sloped pattern, and the Supras after 29 negative Baltic Exchange sessions are already counting 14 consecutive positive sessions and during the past 3 weeks have regained more than 23% of their strength. On a similar manner the smaller Handies
have 13 positive sessions and this seems to be on a steady motive that may last during the week to come.

Read the full Dry Bulk Market Highlights - Week 49 (03/12/2010 - 10/12/2010)

Best Regards

Theo Scholiadis - S&P Broker

Shipping Markets: Dry Cargo Market “Highlights” - Week 48 (26/11/2010 - 03/12/2010)

This was another week of mixed feelings that failed to give us any real sense of direction. However we feel that the Large ships, namely the Capes and VLOC’s are in for some hard times ahead. Not necessarily “tomorrow”, but surely in the year to come. We are one month away from clearing out 2010 and this year was overall a very good one, all “other things considering”…!!! We feel that China has lead the way forward, has given us some positive demand for cargoes, has generated momentum and has been the steam engine that gave power to the dry bulk markets. Had it not been for China’s constant and insatiable appetite for raw materials, and general imports together with providing the world with a massive wealth of exports, we would be facing a collapsed dry cargo freight market. Simply as that! The effects of the inflow and vast additions of many new ships in 2010 has been moderated by China and partly by the other developing and emerging countries.

Read the full Dry Bulk Market Highlights - Week 48 (26/11/2010 - 03/12/2010)

Best Regards

Theo Scholiadis - S&P Broker