Capesize (Atlantic and Pacific)
The Pacific market was active again, but rates remained flat: cargoes from West Australia to China were constantly fixed in the low $7/mt. Out of South Africa, Saldanha Bay cargoes were fixed close to $13/mt for Qingdao destinations. In Atlantic the activity remained quiet. Owners were reluctant to fix at current levels in the hope that market will turn better for them after the strike in Colombia ends. The period market was active with, in particular, longer periods such as 21 to 27 months that was fixed in the mid $13,000 per day.
Panamax (Atlantic and Pacific)
The grain activity from ECSA remained strong. Grain cargoes were fixed in the $16/16,500/d + 600/650,000 ballast bonus basis delivery aps. Many charterers preferred delivery basis passing Good Hope at levels around $12,000 + 600,000 bb. This helped both basins to keep the positive trend of the previous week. In Atlantic the round voyages were fixed in the mid/low $9,000/d and with two laden legs in the mid/high $9,000/d. In Pacific, despite a quiet NoPac market, vessels were able to secure Aussie RV to China in the 10/11,000/d, Indo round to China mid/high $9,000/d and Indo round to India 9/9,250/d basis dely S. China. Period activity was good with many fixtures in the $9,5/10,000/d for around 4/7 or 5/8 months duration.
Handy (Far East/Pacific)
A reduction of fresh cargoes slowed down the fixing volume in the Supramax market which generated contradicting fixtures depending on the different trades. A 55,000 tonner booked for a NoPac RV was fixed at arouind $ 8,000/d with delivery Japan. A sister vessel followed agreeing a much better $ 9,500/d with dely S. Korea. A 57,000 tonner, less economical, got $11,500/d with delivery Spore for SE Asia/India coal trade with a sister vessel agreeing $7,100/d dely N. China for a trip to Australia and another one who got $8,100/d for a trip via SE Asia back to China carrying Nikel Ore. Short period improved with a nice 55,000 tonner booking $10,000/d for 5/7 months, while a fancy 36,800 tonner agreed $9,000 daily for 3 to 5 months.
Handy (North Europe/Mediterranean)
Once again this area saw a very limited amount of chartering activity. No fixtures were reported although handysize grain from N. France to N. Africa was said to be active with tonnage fixing on voyage basis in the o low $20/mt for around 25,000 ts cargo bottoms. Similar sized scrap from Cont to E. Med was rumoured to have been fixed, but no details were reported. From Med small business talks went on only for loading out of a BSea with a modern/eco 38,800 tonner asking $8,000 with delivery BSea for a trip with steels via Red Sea and redely Port Said. Charterers were evaluating her max $7,000/d and ended up fixing another vessel at unreported levels. Steel charterers are still there to take 38/50,000 tonner from BSea to USG at rates between $ 2,000/4,500/d depending on the size and consumption of the vessels.
Handy (USA/N.Atlantic/Lakes/S.America)
Supramax kept enjoying a pretty bright market especially for cargoes loading out of USG. East bound rates kept rising with a fancy 58,000 tonner fixed at $23,000/d to carry pet coke to Spore Jpn range. The positive trend promptly influenced TransAtlantic rates with $19,750/d agreed for a trip to West Med and $20,000/d to East Med. A 33,600 tonner agreed $15,000/d to carry bulk rice to Libya. Eastbound rates from Brazil were enjoying similar/better rates with a 56,000 tonner fetching $13,000 basis dely dop WAfr and a very similar type $14,000 + $400,000 basis with delivery aps Brazil.
Handy (Indian Ocean/South Africa)
Last week there were rumours about a more positive freight trend in this area that started to materialize. A Supramax size bauxite cargo from WC India to China paid a slightly better $8,250/d rate. It was amazing to see a fancy 58,000 tonner fixed at $16,350/d with dely WC India for a trip via Iran to China for which charterers also paid an additional $50,000 lumpsum to contribute to extra insurance costs. A fancy 36,000 tonner also got a quite firm rate at $12,000/d reported agreed with delivery E. Africa for a trip via S. Africa to BSea.
Banchero Costa and Co Spa
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