It is reported that concerns over the slowdown in the mainland construction sector posturing over ore price negotiations and a general summer slowdown have seen charter rates for large dry bulk ships go into freefall as iron ore cargoes evaporated.

Shipbrokers said a dearth of coal cargoes and an oversupply of large ships had also contributed to the slump in rental prices.

Charter rates for large dry bulk capesize vessels of around 180,000 deadweight tonnes are down to their lowest level for 14 months. The crash has been so swift that shipowners and operators have lost around USD 270,000 in revenue in the past week on a voyage from Australia to China and more than USD 800,000 on a Brazil to China voyage.

Shipowners would generate revenue of about USD 1.17 million from an Australia-China voyage based on the prevailing rate recently compared with USD 1.44 million last Thursday.

Shipbrokers said rates for a large capesize vessel were on a par with those for a handysize ship that had a cargo carrying capacity that was almost six times smaller. Observers thought the slump would continue until at least the end of August.

Shipbrokers said mainland iron ore traders had been largely absent from the chartering market for large vessels for the past two months. This became apparent after preliminary customs figures showed the mainland imported 47.17 million tonnes of iron ore in June, down 9.1% from the 51.9 million tonnes in May and down 15%YoY. The May import figure was also down by 6pct MoM.

Customs said the mainland brought in 309.3 million tonnes of iron ore in the first six months of 2010 up by 4.1%YoY.

Shipbrokers said the volume of iron ore imports was expected to slow further in July and August.

(Sourced from http://www.cargonewsasia.com)