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Freight & Commodities

Stay up to date with the latest in Freight & Commodities— covering market updates, regulatory changes, vessel activity, and expert commentary from top maritime sources.

Middle East war: After oil and gas, concerns grow over minerals crunch

30 Apr, 2026
The shipping crisis in the Strait of Hormuz caused by war in the Middle East has exposed a new threat: a looming shortage of strategic minerals that drive economies all over the world – and a race by countries to obtain them. Until war erup...

Iron Ore Climbs to Three-Week High

30 Apr, 2026
Iron ore futures advanced toward CNY 790 per ton, reaching a three-week high as rising costs linked to the Middle East conflict, particularly diesel and freight expenses, pushed the iron ore cost curve higher. Analysts, however, pointed to ...

MMI Daily Iron Ore Index Report April 29 2026

30 Apr, 2026
Today, the DCE iron ore futures trended stronger, with the most-traded contract I2609 closing at 787.5 yuan/mt, up 0.90% from the previous trading session. Spot prices rose 6-7 from the previous day. Traders showed moderate enthusiasm in qu...

Farm commodities surge to two-year high on Hormuz closure

30 Apr, 2026
The extended closure of the Strait of Hormuz and extreme weather have pushed farm commodity prices to a two-year high, as fertilizer challenges and the prospect of smaller harvests drive food inflation risks. The Bloomberg Agriculture Spot ...

Vale Q1 earnings miss expectations despite stronger sales, iron ore prices

30 Apr, 2026
Vale SA clocked weaker-than-expected first-quarter earnings on Tuesday, even as the Brazilian miner clocked strong sales on higher prices of iron ore and copper. Vale’s pro forma earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization...

Solar capacity to outshine coal power in 2026

30 Apr, 2026
China’s installed solar power capacity is expected to surpass that of coal power for the first time in 2026, as the country’s transition toward green and low-carbon energy accelerates, according to an industry report released on Tuesday. Th...

Qatar completes pre-conflict LNG deliveries as LNG flows through Hormuz remain stalled

30 Apr, 2026
Qatar has completed deliveries of all LNG cargoes that were in transit when the Middle East conflict began on Feb. 28, marking the end of pre-conflict shipping flows. Qatar has completed deliveries of all LNG cargoes that were in transit wh...

India: Govt signs first commercial coal mine deals under UCG framework

30 Apr, 2026
The Ministry of Coal on Tuesday signed Coal Mine Development and Production Agreements (CMDPAs) with the successful bidders for four coal mines under the 14th round of commercial coal mine auctions, marking the first time that commercial co...