Capesize bulker rates have rebounded this past week after falling from an unusually strong start to the year, but opinions vary on whether they are in for a sustained rally.

The capesize 5TC, a weighted average of spot rates on five key routes, improved 24% since 26 February to $14,794 per day on Friday, according to the Baltic Exchange.

Capesize rates have been volatile so far this year, reaching $26,489 per day on 12 January before falling $16,000 per day to $10,312 per day on 11 February and then clawing back to $15,856 per day on 17 February.