Panamax (Atlantic and Pacific)
Still a week characterized by the exodus of the ballaster in feast, with market supporting those vessels remained behind and not looking at the S. American grain yet. Quite interesting numbers were recorded in Pacific trading: NoPac round voyage is around $10,000/d (few vessels were reported even at higher levels); Indo and Aussie faced rates over $9,000/d. The increased activity in ECSAm was easily absorbed by ballasters and rates are still decreasing with many Feb. cargoes already covered ships have to wait few days for Mar. stems. Fixtures are made at arnd 15,500/16,000 daily + 550,000/600,000 bb (which is in the high 30's 4/mt on voyage bss). TransAtlantic market was really quiet this week with few fixtures reported for Murmansk/Baltic round voyage (with rates arnd $8,000/d) and few USG/Skaw-Passero range made on aps bss at $13,000/d + 300,000 bb. Period market is still stronger than spot one with rates over $14,000/d.
Handy (Far East/Pacific)
There was a little more Supramax chartering interest which through the week allowed some tonnage to get fixed at improved levels. The usual coal run from Indo to India started with a 58,000 tonner done at $8,000/d with aps dely and was followed by a less fuel-efficient 56,900 dwt fixed at $6,500/d with N. China dely involving huge ballast to load port. A similar type ended up the run with a firmer $10,000/d with dely Singapore. On these sizes bulk sand kept being shipped from SE Asia to Singapore, for which better rates were also available if the trade improves the vessel's position. A 56,600 dwt got $7,700/d with dely central China via Cambodia and afterwards a fancy ultramax delivering at Thailand was paid a quite good $11,750/d to do similar business. An interesting $9,000/d plus $90,000 bb was the rate for a 56,000 tonner to run a trip into Thailand with aps dely at Indo. For similar basis dely a 57,800 dwt got $7,500/d plus $75,000 bb for a trip to central China and a 52,000 tonner agreed at $9,250/d with dely near the loading place and thus more attractive. The Supramax north pacific round lacked any report, while short period was still done in the mid $9,000/d level.
Handy (North Europe/Mediterranean)
Several enquiries to load grains out of BSea ports were pushed arnd through the week but news abt concluded deals was still small and charterers were talking lower rates. A 35,000 tonner was taken on time-charter to move grains to N Europe basis quick terms at $7,500/d. A Supramax booked a larger stem into Portugal on voyage basis at a low $13.5/t, whose owner may regard the quick loading and discharging terms as a sort of a repositioning investment to reach an improved next open position. No reports were available for business loading out of N Europe albeit it was rumoured that a Supramax was taken with dely lower Baltic at abt $15,000/d to move scrap from the continent into the Turkish Mediterranean.
Handy (USA/N.Atlantic/Lakes/S.America)
A small growth of the enquiry out of Central/North Atlantic Americas ended up in some more fixtures reported concluded, part of them also agreed at better levels. $25,000/d was the rate agreed for an ultramax to do USG/Continent trip and a good $20,000/d was paid to a 34,000 tonner for trip into the Med while a 58,000 size got $23,000/d to carry wood pellets from the US Atlantic to N Europe. Scrap move to Turkey showed $21,000/d agreed on a 58,000 dwt delivering at Texas, when a 60,800 dwt got from same area $23,000 on a better term with Greece redel. Still basis dely in the USG a Tess 52 was taken for short period at a more attractive $19,500/d while it was rumoured that Supras to the east are again being talked in the high $20,000/d from the same area. A similar volume of reported agreed fixtures from S America showed Supramax rates lower compared to those out of the USG and Handysizes still enjoying a better market. Moreover, amongst other larger units reported done at still low figures for Atlantic business, there are some signs showing that market was recovering from this area. A 56,700 tonner fixed 2/3 laden legs at just $15,500/d but basis a good redel for owners at NCSAm. A Tess 52 agreed a quite improved $20,500 basis dely WAfr to perform a trip via N. Brazil to the Persian Gulf.
Handy (Indian Ocean/South Africa)
The predicted fresh ignition of enquiry was still kept under the wraps although in the generally dull trend a 32,000 tonner booked a firm $11,850/d for a trip via the Arabian Gulf to Bangladesh Bay. A short trip from east to west coast India, which in this area becomes a sort of backhaul to get closer to better paying Arabian Gulf area, was agreed at a very low $6,400/d.
Banchero Costa and Co Spa
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