As we close out Week 20 of 2026, the maritime landscape is showing a clear shift in power. At Marcenta, we’ve been tracking the data closely, and the numbers tell a story of tightening supply and a robust surge in demand across the primary dry bulk routes.

Baltic Exchange Insights: The Rise of the Owners

The headline story of the week is the Baltic Dry Index (BDI), which has climbed to 2978 points. This represents a significant 11% jump from the previous week. For the first time in several months, the market has firmly entered “Strong Owners” territory.

• Capesize Sector: The heavy hitters are leading the charge. With the BCI showing strong upward momentum, we are seeing increased activity in the iron ore trades out of Brazil and West Australia.
• Supramax (BSI) & Handysize (BHSI): While the larger vessels grab the headlines, the Supramax sector remains stable at 1522 points ($19,240/day), providing a solid floor for the market.

Bunker Watch: Navigating the Fuel Volatility

Fuel costs continue to be a sarkastic puzzle for operators. Based on our latest data:

• Singapore: VLSFO prices have seen a slight uptick, hovering around $650/mt, while MGO remains volatile at $1,230/mt.
• Rotterdam: The spread between VLSFO and LSMGO is widening, making fuel procurement strategy just as important as the freight rate itself.

The Global Flow: What’s Moving?

We are observing a strategic shift in coal flows. With Atlantic demand showing unexpected resilience and Pacific grain seasons beginning to ramp up, the “vessel-to-cargo” ratio is narrowing. At Marcenta, we believe this isn’t just a temporary spike but a reflection of deeper structural shifts in global maritime trade connections.

To see how these numbers translate into real-time opportunities, visit our Market Insight & Activity page for current tonnage and cargo openings.

For the raw data feed and official index compositions, please refer to the Baltic Exchange.

Conclusion: The market is leaning heavily in favour of owners this week. For charterers, the message is clear: wait-and-see is becoming a risky strategy.

#ShipWithMarcenta