Key Takeaways

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is increasing steadily, despite a precarious political situation.  The increased flow of vessels through the SOH is pressuring tanker rates, though total volumes remain well below pre-war levels.  The big issue in the Strait of Hormuz is shifting from one of access to control, with Iran increasingly insistent that it control the shipping route. This, along with its nuclear program, could be an increasingly difficult “non-negotiable” for the Trump administration to work around.  Dry bulk markets finally seeing a correction for their recent trend of weakness in Capes/Panamax vessels and strength in Supramax/Handysize ships. The larger vessel classes saw support on...