Affinity Dry Cargo Weekly 29 May 2026

The dry bulk market demonstrated mixed trends with notable gains in the Capesize segment driven by robust demand, particularly on the C5 iron ore route, where rates increased to around USD 17.00 per tonne. The Affinity Dry Index fell by 11.4 to 341.8 amid varied regional performances; while the Capesize Index rose to 217.2, Panamaxes struggled with supply pressures, leading to a USD 1,082 increase in P5TC to USD 21,086 per day. Meanwhile, China's iron ore imports surged by 8 per cent year-on-year, reinforcing its pivotal role in global trade flows despite a weakening steel sector, as domestic production declines and geopolitical factors create supply concerns.