Bulker operators are turning towards slow steaming amid a weak earnings environment and high bunker prices, according to experts.

Based on the Liengaard & Roschmann Dry Bulk Vesselindex, the optimal speed for capesizes and panamaxes was lower, at 11 knots, in the eighth week of 2019 against the last week of 2018. The estimates for supramaxes and handysizes were also lower at 11.1