Positive iron ore and coal trading data helped push up shipping rates for dry bulk minerals this week, with Asian buyers driving demand.
But commodity prices also weakened, indicating that the boost in raw material consumption may only be temporary.
The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) was 988 on 27 June compared with 972 on 20 June. Capesize, Panamax, Supramax, and Handymax were 1182, 981, 1229, and 712 respectively.
Pulling the BDI up was bullish iron ore and steel export figures from Brazil producers and major consumers China and Japan.
In May, Brazil's iron ore exports totalled 32m tonnes, up 43% versus last year...