Mixed reactions in the freight markets

摘要

1. The Baltic Capesize index (BCI) slid continuously over the month and closed at 2,066 points, down by 897. The prominent Brazil-China and West Australia-China iron ore spot rates, after reaching a high of $27.34/mt and $11.27/mt respectively in the previous month, declined continuously and closed at $15.93/mt and $6.73/mt respectively. Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and Vale reportedly fixed a total of 67 vessels over the month, while only 30 vessels were fixed by them last month. But this flurry of activity was not enough to sustain the previous freight levels.