By Wanye Yamada
The cost of transporting dry bulk raw materials fell to a one-month low this week on continuing concerns over Chinese commodities demand.
Despite improvement in China's June Purchasing Mangers' Index (PMI) iron ore and steel prices were still soft, indicating weak demand. Chinese June bauxite imports also slumped.
The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) was 982 on 24 July compared with 1,074 on 18 July, showing its lowest level since 26 June. Capesize, Panamax, Supramax, and Handymax indices were 1,236, 1,088, 1,133, and 631 respectively.
Falling Chinese spot iron ore demand pulled the BDI down....