Capesize (Atlantic and Pacific)
After the cyclone in Australia, the Capesize activity recovered slowly even though rates worsened day by day and settled just below $7.50 for a West Aussie round on Friday. The backhaul requirements were almost absent with rates mostly negative. The Atlantic levels were similarly low: $2,500 was reported fixed for a Transatlantic round while Brazil to Qingdao was done at $19.40 on voyage bss. Period activity slowed down accordingly as expectations for coming months remained gloomy.
Panamax (Atlantic and Pacific)
The Atlantic market kept firm during last week supported by ECSA grain and North Atlantic coal business. More and more candidates from India and Southeast Asia were appealed by grain business and started ballasting to South America with rates at around $16,500 daily + $650kbb. Transatlantic coal business was fixed repeatedly by the mid week at $10,000 daily+$350kbb. Although many vessels were heading to South America, candidates in North Pacific were still suffering low rates with charterers offering only $8,000 daily for Nopac business for an LME in Japan and, because of higher demand, $9,000 for S.China spot/ppt for Indonesia round. Short period business was stable and LME in S.China were talked at about $9,500 daily for 4/6 months.
Handy (Far East/Pacific)
A few, freshly reported, fixtures showed that the Handysize tonnage enjoyed the positive market trend that Supramaxes have been experiencing for the last couple of week: a China round was agreed at $10,000 daily, a round via New Zealand was fixed at $11,000 and a modern 34,000 tonner was booked for short period slightly below $10,000 basis delivery North China. The Supramax market kept fetching time charter rates in the low/mid teens for trips via Southeast Asia to India and the Far East rounds. A large fancy unit with delivery near the loading port reached a daily rate close to $20,000 for a trip to India, and similar types are now fixing the same business in the $12,000/day basis delivery West Coast India. A nickel ore stem ex Philippine to Eastern Med was fixed at $5,500 basis delivery Japan. Period interest was still high at rates in excess of $12,000/day for short period and $10,300 for one year duration.
Handy (North Europe/Mediterranean)
As predicted the improving trend in this area was confirmed by a nicer $12,500 daily agreed on a large fancy Supra from North Cont to the East Med. Also rates from Black Sea climbed up with an initial $13,000 daily reported for a 53,000 tonner from Black Sea to Far East followed by $17,500 paid to larger vessel to carry steels to Middle East. High stowing pet coke cargo from Ukraine to India was paid $60 per ton on voyage basis to discharge at two ports in East Coast India.
Handy (USA/N.Atlantic/Lakes/S.America)
Firmer market also from USG/NCSA range. A Supramax was fixed to carry alumina from N. Brazil to Norway at high $19,000s daily, while a smaller vessel was fixed $16,000 to carry coal from Venezuela to Cont. From the same area an Handysize obtained slightly below $12,000 daily for an alumina cargo to Red Sea with redelivery at Port Said. A Supramax stem of scrap from USG to East Med was done at $17,000 daily, while shortly afterwards a similar cargo of pet coke was covered at $18,000 to the same destination. Supramax rates to East were similarly improving with vessels booked at over $22,000 daily. Some period interest was registered for larger units at around the $14,000 mark. Activity from S. America decreased for Handysizes, still fetching the best corner of the market.
Handy (Indian Ocean/South Africa)
The ongoing charterers' interest for Supramax tonnage available West Coast India to perform Southeast Asia coal rounds ended up bringing a general positive influence to the Middle East market. West Coast India iron ore straight trip to China was fixed at the same $2,000 daily which other charterers agreed for a Southeast Asia coal India round. The Middle East Gulf to China iron ore Supramax time charter rate increased by about $1,000 daily and a 53,000 tonner open spot at West Coast India was booked at $13,000 plus $30,000 ballast bonus with delivery aps Iran. There was not much news for Handysizes, the DRI and HBI export out of Saudi Arabia remained quiet, but there was some confidential activity on agriculture products from India into West Africa on voyage basis.
Banchero Costa and Co Spa
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