Baltic dry index rose 5.4% last week; Cape Index was up 5.7%; Panamax Index rose 2.6%; Supramax Index was up 3.7%; Handysize Index rose 2.9%

"My feeling is that the rate increases are mostly sentiment driven and not backed by supply and demand fundamentals." - couldnt agree more!

China go on week long holiday this week. Activity in pacific basin will be down and cape rates typically dip a tad during these holidays.

Baltic Dry Index at 25 year low!! ow.ly/8OXVc

Capesize earning stay below operating costs

Slow steaming seems to be the way foward for operators in this market (low rates & high bunker costs). Japanese builds showing best results

"The overall dry-bulk fleet’s average weekly speed of 8.15 knots for Jan'12 is the slowest since at least May 2008" (Bloomberg)

"BROKERS estimate that 20-30 capesize bulk carriers have been anchored between Singapore and China as owners deem current rates too low "

SSY, the world's second-largest shipbroker, has let 11 brokers go. One director has also left, reports a reliable source. Sign of the times.

Banks cutting lending to drybulk firms as they forecast depressed rates for many more yrs econ.st/1MAarp7 -more bankruptcies to come

Falling commodity prices & falling oil/fuel prices is generally speaking bad news for dry-geopolitical risk may provide shortterm volatility

Global markets may have a good day with fed news re rates. ASX already looking green, except BHP, is there a bottom? bit.ly/1P84b5G

Dry bulk market is BAD! - "The index has hit fresh record lows every day since the beginning of the year." goo.gl/Eydizh

Baltic dry index rose 0.1% last week; Capesize Index was up 8.2%; Panamax Index fell 7.8%; Smax Index was up 0.2%; Hsize Index fell 1.8%.

Increase in thermal coal trade expected to help atlantic biz - In the pacific, Chinese and Indian buyers becoming price sensitive.

Dry bulk market fell once again on Wednesday marking the ninth straight day of losses. BDI 1328

" First half of the year ended with the average BDI Value 1,372 points, down by 57 % from the first half of 2010 which was at 3,166 points "

" BHP Billiton has reported record iron ore and thermal coal production figures for its financial year to June 30 "

Congestion up again, alomst 11% of dry fleet congested in mainly Australia, Brazil, India and China.

By 2020 China is predicted to consume twice the energy it consumes currently.