A broad-based drop in shipping stocks was unfolding in New York on Tuesday morning, apparently on worries spreading from China over the adequacy of economic stimulus measures.

On a day that the broader US market indices were flat or slightly up, shipping equities headed south.

Leading the early losers was Greece-based Seanergy Maritime Holdings, whose pure-play fleet of 19 capesizes is particularly linked to the health of iron ore volumes and China trade.