Capesize (Atlantic and Pacific)
Market lost again some ground, especially in Pacific: West Australia-China route settled at $7,50; from South Africa, Saldanha Bay-China voyage was fixed in the mid $14. Atlantic was more active as the week ended, but levels were in line with Index for Trans-Atlantic round that fixed $9.40 and fronthaul from Brazil lost some steam. Period market reported just few fixtures with low $10,000 was done for short period.
Panamax (Atlantic and Pacific)
The Atlantic market went up significantly last week. However, starting from Thursday, charterers managed to offer some resistance being unwilling to pay even higher rates. Transatlantic business was at around $18,000 daily while ECSA grains to the East was concluded up to $26,000 daily dop dely Skaw/Gib in the middle of the week. By the end of the week the market cooled down a bit with everyone waiting to see the trend for the coming week. Influenced by Atlantic, the Pacific market also surged. LMEs in S.China could secure $13,000 daily for an Indonesia round and N. China positioned vessels were talked in the mid $12,000 daily for Nopac/Aussie round. Many charterers aimed at securing candidates from Far East for their ECSA grains, paying good LME in S.China at $12,000 daily level. Rate for short period didn't go up along with the spot market and charterers stopped at $11,000 to $11,500 daily level. There was a candidate fixed for a long period at $12,250 daily.
Handy (Far East/Pacific)
It is not yet clear if the nickel ore export ban will come in force or not next month, but activity on this trade was extremely quiet. Coal exports managed to keep Supramaxes busy in the area and even allowed some vessels to fix basis delivery East coast India at reasonable levels. Short period interest for these larger Handies was good with a few vessels reported at daily rates between $11,000 and $12,500. North Pacific rounds were concluded at around $10,500/11,000 daily with delivery Japan/ N. China range, but no fixtures were reported. A firm timecharter rate was agreed for a large Supra to carry bagged rice from Thailand to Iraq, but it has to be taken into consideration both the cargo type, with slow load/discharging speeds, and that Iraq is a sanctioned country and therefore deserves a serious premium to induce owners' consideration. Approaching the end of the week the market became more fragmented. However a few reported fixtures for 30,000 tonners both for trips and short periods showed that this size segment keeps holding.
Handy (North Europe/Mediterranean)
In general, a more positive sentiment was registered all around the European coasts. A couple of Supras were reported booked at a quite good $22,500 daily time-charter level for trips ex Black Sea to Persian Gulf, with delivery into Eastern Med. A nice 56,000 tonner was done at Usd 15,000/day for short period with delivery lower Baltic and a 32,000 dwt got $10,000/day with dely Morocco for 2 laden legs with redely in Atlantic. A lot less attractive were Supramax rates for Black Sea/West Med and Cont/West Africa trips. At the same time decent rates, around $7,000, were agreed for smaller Handies for backhaul trips into USG and S. America ranges.
Handy (USA/N.Atlantic/Lakes/S.America)
Supramax stems from USG to FEast became available again originating a number of firm fixtures at $21,300/21,500 daily level. This progressively brought positive influence to Transatlantic trades. Both Cont and Eastern Med redely ended up fixing in the mid $17,000. Firm market also for Supras booking S. America/FEast trade, whilst interest for TA employments was smaller. An extremely firm $21,850 was agreed for a 31,000 tonner dely River Plate for WCCA discharge. Handies in general kept enjoying quite decent levels from the USG to Europe.
Handy (Indian Ocean/South Africa)
Only one fixture was reported agreed on India/China iron ore trade at a "not so bad" rate considering West Coast India loading, similar tonnage open on the opposite coast fixing $500/1000 less. Activity was fragmented: a large sulphur stem was booked on voyage basis from Iran to China at nice levels and a modern 35,000 dwt booked at short period at $9,250 With Persian Gulf delivery.
Banchero Costa and Co Spa
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