Capesize (Atlantic and Pacific)
Holidays and depressed market caused a sort of lull. Both sides were under pressure as a result of long tonnage lists and lower bunker prices. Atlantic round was reported fixed at $4,000 while fronthaul from Brazil saw owners offering mid $17. Pacific remained active on the West Australia to China route at $7, from Richards Bay to China, coal cargoes were fixed at around $12 at the beginning of the week, but owners were ready to break that level on Friday. Period activity remained thin as expectations kept on dropping and none is sure whether the bottom of the market is near or not.
Panamax (Atlantic and Pacific)
Market is still lousy with activity in Atlantic very limited due also Posidonia events and holidays around Europe. Still many ballasters from Pacific to Usg or ECSAM which contribute to keep rates low. Pacific Indo/Aussie China are close to $3,000 and charterers are only paying aps loading ports, not even longer dop, while Atlantic rates are just above $8000. On the last part of week some better rates have been seen as some more activity in appeared in ECSAM and on some period deals.
Handy (Far East/Pacific)
Lower demand from charterers pushed further down time charter rates for single trip fixtures that this week were limited to a few Supramax stems loading out of South East Asia. All fixtures available were basis delivery APS plus thin ballast bonus that made them uneconomical for owners unless the vessel was coming open close to the loading port. This trend was confirmed by a 56,800 tonner fixing with delivery DOP North China for a trip via South East Asia back to North China at a miserable $2,250 daily rate. Supramax rates for short period commitments were still much higher compared to trips. For smaller Handies only a few fixtures were available, although the short period deal agreed at $8,000 daily for a 16 year old unit showed once again that this size is fetching levels very close to the 55,000 tonners.
Handy (North Europe/Mediterranean)
A number of holidays in the Western hemisphere kept a large part of the shipping operators out of their office most of the week slowing the chartering market all around the European coasts. On the other hand it appeared that tonnage able to load ex Black Sea and trade Gulf of Aden for prompt dates was scarce as a few charterers were seen fishing around through the week, without getting much reactions.
Handy (USA/N.Atlantic/Lakes/S.America)
The holidays affected also the activity from Atlantic Americas where activity slowed down and less fixtures were reported concluded. Freight rates however remained more or less at previous levels. There were rumors that much more business was done on confidential basis and that a large, fancy Japanese Supra was on subjects at $26,0000 daily for a trip via USG to Far East basis dely Cristobal.
Handy (Indian Ocean/South Africa)
Supramax activity was limited to a few stems to load ex South Africa to Far East. On this trade, in addition to the Supra reported with APS delivery here below, there was also the rumour of another 56,000 tonner fetching $6,000 daily with dely DOP East Coast India for a trip via South Africa to Far East. Even if not brilliant this trade is fixing much better money than what available for trips loading ex South East Asia in order to induce owners end -up in to a Pacific depressed market. A large Supra was fixed for short period with delivery EC India at a very nice $10,000 rate. However it must be considered that the unit is a fancy Eco type and it seems Owners accepted most of the dirty cargoes options.
Banchero Costa and Co Spa
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