Dry Bulk

摘要

Dry bulk trade flourished in 2021 with all indices recording their highest figures in more than a decade. Steep recovery in the demand for dry bulk commodities after some respite from the pandemic coupled with supply constraints led to a surge in freight rates. The year also saw innovative shipping solutions like dry bulk vessels being reclassed to carry containerised products packaged in flexible bulk containers called ‘Super Sacks’. These products, which would have been shipped in containers under normal circumstances, were being delivered to the ports as break bulk. Vessel supply was further constrained due to the quarantine requirements at Chinese ports and the resulting port congestion and inactivity. A ban on the import of Australian coal by the Chinese government further prompted the build-up of congestion as vessels carrying Australian coal were stuck at Chinese ports for months.