The cost of shipping dry bulk commodities fell this week due to market inactivity after the Christmas and New Year break.
Also helping to pull rates down, China finally allowed one of Vale's giant vessels to dock for the first time in January.
The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) was 1552 on 4 January 2012 compared with 1856 near the end of last year. Capesize, Panamax, Supramax and Handysize were 2768, 1599, 1140, and 566 respectively.
And with shipping activity subdued, the BDI is...