The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine is boosting the dry bulk market to levels not seen in almost half a year, according to market watchers.

The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) exceeded 3,000 points for the first time in five months on Wednesday, backed by higher average spot rates across dry bulk shipping.

The index, essentially a market barometer, reached 3,052 points on Wednesday after picking up 113 ticks to surpass this threshold for the first time in five months.