Capesize (Atlantic and Pacific)
A falling trend in the Far East and an almost static market in the Atlantic have made the Capesize market to decrease again by about 77 points and the 4 T/c routes were down by $696 daily. The iron ore from West Australia to China was at about $7.75 although the activity was quite good. The iron ore from Brazil to China showed $19.32 that was down by about $0.75 in a week. Trans-Atlantic rates were stable at around low $12,000's and the short period activity was again slow with levels now around $11,500 for 4 to 6 months with prompt delivery in the Far East.
Panamax (Atlantic and Pacific)
The Atlantic market was quite separated this week. The North Atlantic was still firm thanks to the lack of tonnage in the Continent. Fronthaul biz could be done at a good $24,000 daily while Trans-Atlantic biz still could reach $16,000 level. However, vessels in the Med met strong competition by the vessels ballasting from the East for US Gulf or ECSA round voyage. A LME was talked at $24,000 plus $400,000bb for such kind of biz. Some firming trend was felt from the Pacific side despite that the rate was not actually improved. Owners asked for higher rates in Friday generally, ie $10,000 for Pacific round. Fixtures were still done at $9,000 for Nopac and similar rate for EC. Aussie for N.China positioned LME. For Indonesia round, on Friday some charters were willing to pay more than $9,000 for S.China economic spot vessel but owner still insisted on $10,000. Short period biz was still hovering at $12,000 daily with limited owner willing to do it.
Handy (Far East/Pacific)
A larger volume of fresh enquiry for single trip employments resulted in more fixtures reported concluded. The different rates seen agreed were due to the business direction combined with positional reasons. Larger Handies saw the best rates on the usual Southeast Asia nickel ore round voyage whilst trips to other directions showed only small improvements, and backhaul business was agreed at awfully low levels. Period interest for these bigger units was still alive and agreed better figures compared to spot employments. There was also a reasonable amount of activity on the smaller sizes with rates showing some small improvement on some of the trips fixed.
Handy (North Europe/Mediterranean)
The market from the Continent still went sideways. A few enquiries were still to be covered, but some owners held their vessels until they were about to run spot. Activity was mostly dedicated to smaller Handies with a bit more regular demand to load grains into North Africa, and it showed to pay t/charter rates in the low teens. The Mediterranean and the Black Sea were still quiet with 5,000 usd daily t/c rumored to have been agreed for a trip from the Black Sea to Brazil. The grain export from the Black Sea ports said to resume as from next month was bringing some hopes to owners for a forthcoming improving market.
Handy (USA/N.Atlantic/Lakes/S.America)
Market kept strong for owners on business loading ex the U.S. Gulf and east coast South America. Out of the U.S. Gulf firm rats were agreed for Supramax tonnage trading into the Far East and into South America. South America was active both on Trans-Atlantic, Midlle East and Feast bound business with slightly improved rates agreed to all destinations and a good portion of vessels were fixed with delivery west Africa or west Europe. Short period interest was also available from South America with a few fixtures concluded at reasonable money. The trade was generally quieter towards the end of the week.
Handy (Indian Ocean/South Africa)
There was a little more demand for Supramaxes to load ex South Africa into the Far East. But it didn't bring any benefit to the rates yet. The money agreed was around 20 percent over what a straight trip from India to China would pay (provided this type of business would be available at all...), but the considerably longer duration was still making it quite unattractive. Much better money was agreed on a large fancy Supramax for short period, whilst the trade for smaller handies kept extremely quiet.
Banchero Costa and Co Spa
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