Workshop Overview

The global dry bulk shipping industry is a cornerstone of international trade, responsible for transporting vital commodities like iron ore, coal, and grain. With billions of dollars at stake, understanding the intricacies of this market is crucial for businesses involved in global supply chains.

According to the McKinsey Report in January 2019, an estimated 90% of goods trade is facilitated by maritime shipping. The total annual volume of international seaborne cargoes exceeds 12 billion metric tons (MT), according to UNCTAD. The total international dry bulk cargoes are estimated to be around 5.6 billion MT in 2024, as per Clarksons Drybulk Trade Outlook.

The international seaborne dry bulk volume of about 5.6 billion MT annually consists of iron ore (1.5 billion MT), thermal and coking coal (1.3 billion MT), grain (0.5 billion MT), and minor bulk (2.3 billion MT), with transportation costs for the dry bulk generating billions of USD. Shipping dry bulk cargo is an integral part of the logistics chain, delivering cargo to customers. Owing to the significance and the financial impact of shipping transportation, most major miners/traders, such as Rio Tinto, BHP, Vale, Anglo American, Glencore, Cargill, ADM, and Bunge, to name a few, have created their own shipping arms. This move helps protect and improve their returns against freight market volatility by controlling the freight to optimize their profits. The dry bulk shipping market is dictated by the Baltic Dry Index (BDI), an index issued daily by a panel of shipbrokers and published by 3 pm London time. The BDI reflects market volatility over time and is commonly used by shipping professionals as a reference for their decision-making.

This workshop offers a deep dive into dry bulk shipping, covering essential aspects including freight calculations, market dynamics, contracts, and demurrage.

You will leave the workshop equipped to make informed decisions that optimize your shipping costs and improve your bottom line.

Benefits of Attending the Workshop:

• Master the fundamentals of dry bulk trades: Understand essential trading routes, the diverse types of cargoes, and how to select the right bulk carriers for your needs.
• Gain historical perspective: Analyze past trends in dry bulk trades to enhance your forecasting and current market assessments.
• Decode the Baltic Dry Bulk Index (BDI): Learn how the index is calculated across the Capesize, Panamax and Supramax segments, empowering you to use it as a reliable decision-making tool.
• Optimize thermal coal trades: Develop strategies tailored to international seaborne thermal coal trades, including efficient freight calculations.
• Minimize costs with despatch and demurrage expertise: Understand principles governing despatch and demurrage to reduce unnecessary expenses and streamline your operations.
• Navigate shipping contracts confidently: Become well-versed in the nuances of shipping contracts and charter parties, protecting your interests in complex transactions.

Who Should Attend

• Supply chain and logistics professionals
• Commodity traders and analysts
• Shipping industry personnel
• Investors interested in the dry bulk market
• Anyone seeking in-depth knowledge of dry bulk shipping operations