Rotterdam Bunkers Jump $36 as Baltic Dry Index Holds at 2,994: Dry Bulk Market Insight, 9 October 2026
The Baltic Dry Index stands at 2,994 points on the latest published close, dated 7 October 2026, unchanged from the previous read because the 8 October print was not yet confirmed at the time of writing. Bunker prices, by contrast, have moved: the 8 October close shows a broad firming across the three main hubs, led by Rotterdam.
Baltic Indices: 7 October 2026 Close
| Index | Close | Daily change | Average daily earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| BDI | 2,994 | -8 | – |
| BCI (Capesize) | 4,597 | -41 | $41,691 (-$373) |
| BPI (Panamax) | 2,384 | +18 | $21,456 (+$162) |
| BSI (Supramax) | 1,800 | +5 | $22,758 (+$74) |
| BHSI (Handysize) | 1,003 | -2 | $18,056 (-$39) |
The split between sizes is clear. Capesize earnings have drifted lower for a third session while panamax and supramax continue to grind higher, which kept the headline index within a few points of 3,000. Handysize is holding just above the 1,000 mark.
Capesize Routes: Week of 28 September to 2 October
The C3 (Tubarao-Qingdao) index stood at $37.65 per tonne, down from $40.659 a week earlier. The C5 (West Australia-Qingdao) index recovered to $14.425 per tonne as fixing picked up in the Pacific and several Newcastlemaxes secured slightly later loading dates.
Bunker Prices: 8 October 2026
| Port | VLSFO ($/mt) | Change | MGO ($/mt) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore | 908.00 | +12.00 | 1,291.50 | +37.00 |
| Rotterdam | 728.00 | +36.00 | 1,416.50 | +83.50 |
| Fujairah | 988.00 | +3.50 | 1,716.00 | +30.00 |
Rotterdam VLSFO added $36.00 in a single session, its largest daily gain of the three hubs, and MGO there rose by $83.50. That narrows the Fujairah-Rotterdam VLSFO spread to $260 per tonne from roughly $293 the day before, and takes the Singapore-Rotterdam gap to $180. For owners planning bunker stems on long-haul rotations, the Rotterdam discount is shrinking, which weakens the case for deferring fuel to Northwest Europe.
Brent Crude
Brent is trading at $103.11 per barrel on the live Marcenta market feed at the time of writing. Crude above $100 continues to keep a firm floor under bunker prices and makes fuel a significant share of voyage costs on longer trades.
Market Developments
China’s Golden Week holiday is drawing to a close, and trading has stayed thin across the Pacific. Panamax and kamsarmax business has been position-dependent, with Atlantic fronthaul interest from the US Gulf and East Coast South America offering the main support, while Indonesian cargo demand remained subdued. In the ultramax and supramax segment, short-period interest has continued at around $23,500 daily.
The bunker move matters for time-charter equivalents. With capesize earnings already easing, a sharper fuel bill erodes net returns on voyage charters, particularly for scrubber-less tonnage buying compliant fuel at Rotterdam.
What We Are Watching
- Whether Chinese buyers return from the holiday with fresh iron ore and coal demand, and whether that halts the capesize slide near $40,000 per day.
- The next confirmed Baltic print, which will show whether the panamax and supramax gains hold without capesize support.
- Whether Rotterdam VLSFO keeps closing the gap on Singapore or gives back this week’s jump.
- Brent direction around the $100 level and any further Gulf incidents that could lift war-risk premia and Fujairah prices.