Momentum from the US Senate's approval of a $2trn economic stimulus package steamrolled the hurdle of a horrific US jobs report and lifted the Dow Jones 1,351 points (6.3%) to 22,552, officially entering a new "bull market".

Shipping shares went along for the ride in most cases. After a mixed day on Wednesday, shipping stocks continued to claw back losses from last week's market wipeout courtesy of the coronavirus pandemic.