The cost of carbon in Europe has helped demand for capesize bulkers carrying Atlantic coal to double during the first six months of 2021, according to research.

Arrow Shipbroking Group's research team said that the boost in capesize demand comes on the back of a mismatch in pricing between the East and West.

"The coal market has swung from a heavy surplus in 2020 into a tight deficit in 2021 as demand has bounced back more aggressively than anticipated," the team said in a note on Tuesday.