The cost of shipping dry bulk rose slightly this week, with rates supported by an increasing spot iron ore price and tough negotiation tactics between the major iron ore miners and China over long term contracts.
The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) was 3175 on 13 January 2009, compared with 3149 last week. Capesize, Panamax, Supramax, and Handysize were 3865, 4001, 2542, and 1188, respectively.
Rates were buoyed by high iron ore demand, with analysts...