Capesize (Atlantic and Pacific)
The Capesize market was almost euphoric until last Wednesday when gained 560 points, but then suddenly the major iron ore players, BHP and Rio Tinto completed their December program and basically stopped their activity: this decision resulted that the market then started a quick decline in the remaining days of the week which are expected also for next week. Rates in Pacific reached Usd 110,000 on t/c equivalent to about Usd 25.00 on voyage basis on the route from West Australia to China. Atlantic rates remained quite firm with fronthaul rates at about Usd 116,000 for BCI type and Transatlantic round reported at about Usd 95,000 daily but then after Wednesday also the Atlantic rates are bound to stop and possibly decline for next week.
Panamax (Atlantic and Pacific)
Another good week for the Panamax sector, with firm and high rates in both basins. The sentiment was that market might reach the top but in the last 2 days of the week the activity stopped a bit and some fixtures failed especially in the Atlantic as the falling of paper ffa market caused some nervousness. However ships were still in short supply and some positions still remained tight. During the week short period business of 4-6 or 5-7 months trading saw $36,500 daily; 1- year earned $26,000 daily. Period business was also in great demand in the Pacific with 4-6 months trading in the $32,000 daily range.
Handy (Far East/Pacific)
The on-going firm market, further pushed by new fixtures agreed basis tonnage delivering in the Far East for loading out of the USG, showing charterers were more interested in booking supramaxes for short period. Daily timecharter rates agreed have shown to stabilize well over the usd 20,000 mark, with the end of the week a 52,000 tonner was reported dealt close to 25,000 daily for a 5 to 7 months employment. Charterers were also said to have put up their evaluations for longer term on the new-buildings delivery ex yard 1st quarter 2010. Much better rates were seen agreed for local trips and interest for handysizes to load out of the North Pacific was larger.
Handy (North Europe/Mediterranean)
The week started with fresh scrap enquiry from Northern Europe which rapidly led into a large handy-size fixed at an attractive level for business into the East Med. Similarly nice rate was agreed for business to the Mid-East via Gulf of Aden. The positive trend could not manage to reflect so far on business to the USG which should be justified by the very attractive position for owners, while better rate was agreed for handysize tonnage to South America. Market was again more enjoyable for tonnage loading out of the Black Sea to the East. Firmer rates were also agreed for short period on handymaxes delivering both in the Continent and in the Mediterranean.
Handy (USA/N.Atlantic/Lakes/S.America)
The whole area stayed into a quite strong mood with charterers struggling to catch handysize tonnage for loading out of South America due to the scarcity of tonnage. Quite good rates were also agreed from this area for the larger handies which were mostly bound to the Middle East and the Far East destinations. The USG showed to be stronger with higher rates agreed for a USG round basis delivery Far East and lots of strong figures reported agreed for tonnage delivering in the area both for the trans-Atlantic and the Eastbound destinations. Also from this area charterers started to look more seriously at short period deals. Even if rates called by owners were on the high side, they were still much lower for charterers compared to a straight trip out rate, with the hope that the market would keep enough on the subsequent employment.
Handy (Indian Ocean/South Africa)
It was almost only the China bound iron ore leading the market in this area, with a long list of fresh fixtures for supramaxes to load ex India. Daily rates agreed were not as high as the ones from the previous week, showing that the recent levels were between usd 25/26,000. A large supra delivering in the area fetched almost similar rate for a short period employment.
Banchero Costa and Co Spa
Mail: research@bancosta.it
Web: www.bancosta.it