News

The Capesize market in the Pacific opened the week under pressure due to the effects of Cyclone Mitchell on West Australian Pilbara ports and a temporary slowdown in miner activity. Although port operations quickly resumed and activity levels picked up, overall sentiment remained subdued. The BCI (182k) 5TC declined by approximately USD 5,000 over the …

“During the first six weeks of 2026, global bulk grain shipments have jumped 15% y/y, supported by a 30% y/y surge in soya bean shipments and a 17% increase in wheat shipments. Record harvests in the Southern Hemisphere are boosting exports while North America has continued to ship its high export surplus. The trade agreement …

More tanker newbuildings have been added to the global orderbook over the past week, alongside other ship types and classes. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Banchero Costa said that “this week in the tanker sector, newly established Norwegian company, Bruton, placed an order of 2 x 310,000 dwt VLCCs to New Times Shipyard. The …

McQuilling Services is pleased to announce the release of its 29th anniversary edition, 2026-2030 Tanker Market Outlook. Our 2026 theme, “You Can’t See the Forest for the Trees,” frames the outlook for crude tankers over the next five years. Structural forces (the “forest”) including: 1) macroeconomic conditions, 2) a weakening US dollar, 3) a commodity …

In recent years, the loss of containers has emerged as a critical safety concern, particularly in relation to large container vessels operating in adverse sea states. One of the key contributing phenomena identified is parametric rolling, a complex and potentially severe form of ship motion that can develop rapidly and with limited warning. Parametric rolling …

Could the tanker market be headed for an oversupply issue? In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Xclusiv said that “the renewed acceleration in tanker newbuilding activity has once again brought the question of oversupply to the forefront of market discussions, particularly as deliveries are set to rise sharply over the next two years. In 2026 …

The US–India trade agreement is expected to reduce India’s reliance on Russian crude oil, benefiting the mainstream fleet and tonne-mile demand. Although a complete halt is unlikely at the moment due to existing contracts, refinery constraints and geopolitical considerations, any partial replacement of Russian oil with US/Venezuelan oil will strengthen the employment of VLCCs. The …

As the dust settles on a historic year of upheaval, the global trade landscape is bracing for a starkly different reality in 2026. After a surprising 4.2% year-over-year expansion in 2025, economists at ING are forecasting a “significant slowdown” for 2026 with growth projected to plummet to a range of just 0.5% to 1% for …

The strategic shift of EU’s LNG imports’ demand is redrawing the global LNG shipping map. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Intermodal said that “Europe’s decision to formally sever its remaining gas ties with Russia marks the end of a chapter that has defined the continent’s energy system for decades. Framed as sanctions, the move …

Market Overview The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) recorded a sharp recovery ahead of the Lunar New Year before correcting on Friday, 6 February 2026. While dry bulk indices have historically softened into the holiday period due to seasonal disruptions, index levels this year remained firmer than at the start of 2025. Index Performance The BDI …