ABC News reports H5N1 avian influenza was again confirmed in migratory birds on Australia’s southern coast, the third confirmed case on the mainland.

A VLCC (~2.0 mln barrels) has been fixed to lift crude from the Persian Gulf to India at WS 897 — about 897% of the Worldscale benchmark — brokers said, reflecting a severe regional shortage of available ballast tonnage. The vessel was supplied by Korean owner Sinokor Group and the booking was priced on a Persian Gulf–Singapore route basis. Brokers said the fixture is the highest VLCC rate so far this year. Sinokor has been expanding in the tanker market since late last year and was among the most active Gulf participants during the war.

Spot silver fell more than $3 intraday to $58.46/oz, down about 5%.