China food demands reshape grain markets
CHINA’S increasing reliance on imported food and mounting geopolitical risks around fertiliser supply are reshaping global agricultural trade, according to the latest Agri Markets...
Unions escalate “generational” fight as BHP port strike looms
WESTERN Australia’s mining sector is bracing for one of its most significant protected industrial action in decades, with three unions locking in an eight‑hour strike at BHP’s...
OPINION: Key lessons for oil supply chains from the Strait of Hormuz shipping closure
FOLLOWING the memorandum signed between the USA and Iran to end the war, the Strait of Hormuz is expected to reopen for commercial vessels with the hope that the global oil supply...
BHP, unions in mine-site deal, but port still a flashpoint
BHP MINE-site workers have voted to accept a new enterprise agreement, but a dispute at the Port of Port Hedland is unresolved. The new enterprise agreement is for BHP’s Mining...
Baltic Exchange Weekly Report - 3 July 2026
THE BALTIC Dry Index (BDI) rebounded last week, finishing at 2717 points for 3 July 2026, down from 26 June's figure of 2524. Capesize The market staged an impressive recovery...
Calmer waters but poorer crops, as El Niño takes effect
CALMER waters for ships visiting Australian ports are a likely outcome of a 2026 El Niño weather season, oceanographer Sarah Ruth Merrigan says. There is a downside, however, with...
Iran remains fertiliser wildcard as trade flows continue to shift
EVOLVING Chinese export policy and the potential return of Iranian product are key factors in the international fertiliser trade, a key industry entity says. The Australian...
Fortescue hits record 200 million tonne iron ore export
WITH more than 1000 ore carriers leaving Port Hedland each year, Fortescue has shipped a record 200 million tonnes of iron ore in a single year, the first time in its history. It...
First ore from McPhee Mine to boost Pilbara exports
HANCOCK Iron Ore has achieved first ore from its newest Pilbara operation, McPhee Creek, marking a major milestone for the privately owned mining group and signalling future...
Baltic Exchange Weekly Report - 26 June 2026
THE BALTIC Dry Index (BDI) dropped again last week, finishing at 2524 points for 26 June 2026, down from 19 June's figure of 2722. Capesize The market endured a difficult week,...
Port and rail upgrades support WA booming grain exports
MAJOR port and rail freight upgrades are under way across Western Australia as the state moves to accommodate record grain volumes and strengthen supply chain capacity from...
MinRes Lucky Bay shutdown to hit Mid West port volumes
MINERAL Resources’ decision to mothball its Lucky Bay garnet operation is expected to cut export throughput for Mid West’s Port of Geraldton, removing a developing bulk‑minerals...
Qube to offer upgraded Albany bulk handling facility to all users
QUBE is about to start work on a $13 million upgrade at the former Albany Bulk Handling site in Western Australia’s south. The work, including hard stand and ship loader...
Jan De Nul wins $50m contract for Port Hedland bypass channel
THE Western Australian government has awarded a $50 million dredging contract to Jan De Nul Australia to build Pilbara Ports’ new Zone 5 Bypass Channel at the Port of Port...
Rio Tinto accelerates fleet sell down as Fortescue moves on newbuilds
RIO TINTO is edging closer to a major reduction of its owned fleet after selling another two Newcastlemax bulk carriers to commodities trader Mercuria, according to trade press...
