Iron ore freights soften on thin fixing towards year-end

Iron ore freights fell w-o-w on 30 Dec’25, with rates easing across key Pacific and Atlantic routes due to thin fixing activity, weaker FFA, and lower bunker prices, keeping pressure on freights.

• Paradip-Qingdao: Rates stood at $9.6/dmt w-o-w (-$1/dmt)
• Hedland-Qingdao: Freights were at $8.8/dmt (-$1.1/dmt)
• Tubarao-Qingdao: Rates were assessed at $23.2/dmt (-$0.49/dmt)
• Saldanha Bay-Qingdao: Freights stood at $17.09/dmt (-$0.21/dmt)