On 8th oct 2009
In what could prove the beginning of a new and sustainable rally for the dry bulk market, the BDI (Baltic Dry Index) posted yesterday its biggest increase in more than two months, jumping by 4.3% on a daily basis. It now stands at 2,546 points (up by 105 points), with all of the submarkets increasing.
Just a few days ago, Kong Fanhua, a senior researcher of China Ocean Shipping Group had been quoted as saying that “if you believe in a China story, believe in a recovery in the shipping market”. He maintained that by the end of the year the Baltic Dry Index, the main measure of shipping costs for commodities, could surge by more than 80 percent to return to the 4,000 point level, triggered by increased demand for commodities from China. This rebound would be fuelled by the fact that local governments encourage factory output, especially of steel. Still, few could believe that this scenario would begin materializing during the Mid-Autumn holiday festivities in China. When these remarks were made by China Ocean Shipping at the end of September, the BDI stood at 2,192 points.
More positive news could come from India pretty soon as well. According to yesterday’s weekly report by shipbrokers George Moundreas & Co, compiled by George Grigoriadis, India could also emerge as a potential “player” in the dry bulk market. “India is actively looking for new sources of coal, with Mozambique being the latest trend. According to Coal India Ltd., imports could increase by 140 million tonnes per year by 2012” said Mr. Grigoriadis. He further adds that “this means in simple arithmetic and in Supramax terms, additional needs for 300 ships by 2012, just for this trade.
good days ahead for shipping companies.happy investing