Shanghai Shipping Exchange said heavy rain in southern China has kept power-plant daily burn low and the peak electricity season has not arrived, slowing downstream inventory drawdown. Falling coal prices have damped purchases and traders are largely sidelined; northern anchorages have ample waiting tonnage. On July 3 the exchange's China Coastal (bulk) Composite Freight Index closed at 1,037.36, down 6.7% from the prior reading.

2026-07-04

Shanghai Shipping Exchange said heavy rain in southern China has kept power-plant daily burn low and the peak electricity season has not arrived, slowing downstream inventory drawdown. Falling coal prices have damped purchases and traders are largely sidelined; northern anchorages have ample waiting tonnage. On July 3 the exchange's China Coastal (bulk) Composite Freight Index closed at 1,037.36, down 6.7% from the prior reading.