The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) has dropped below 1,000 points for the first time in a month as steel prices remain weak due to lacklustre iron ore demand from China, according to analysts and brokers.

The dry bulk market barometer declined 4.8% on Wednesday to 994 points after falling steadily from a high of 1,233 points on 6 June. The last time the BDI fell below 1,000 points was on 5 June when it slipped 7.6%