Capesize (Atlantic and Pacific)
A dull market brought very few remarkable news. Western Australian charterers easily keept rates as low as the week before, below $8/mt. From Eastern Australia the returns were even worse, below $10,000/d.
Out of South Africa and Brazil volumes were limited: Brazil/China voyages were fixed in the low/mid $19/mt. The Atlantic market was stuck with a numbers of vessels spot waiting to get an employment; rates remained in the region of low $10,000/d for TransAtlantic round voyage. Also period activity was quite slow as well.
Panamax (Atlantic and Pacific)
Finally a positive week for Panamax tonnage in the Atlantic market with a growth of demand and the tonnage position list getting a bit shorter. The brightest spot was S America with strong activity and rates improving up to $16,000/d + 600,000 bb. In Continent short round voyages stood at around $7/7,500/d and the longer TransAtlantic RV at around $12/12,500/d + 200/250,000 bb on APS basis. Also the market in FEast registered a positive trend with the 3 main routes all registering a steadier flow of cargoes and rate improvements. Indo RV reached $7,250/d whilst NoPac and Australia RV were higher at $8/8,500/d and $7,750/8,000/d respectively. There was also activity for period business with 1 year commitment concluded around $11/11,500/d.
Handy (Far East/Pacific)
Demand remained quiet throughout the week and a few Supramax were reported fixed at levels close to those of the previous week. A 55,000 dwt achieved $10,250/d basis dely Japan for a NoPac RV. A 58,000 dwt got $11,250/d for a short trip of bulk sand basis dely Thailand redely Spore. Period interest was back with a 53,500 dwt agreeing $11,500/d for 3/5 months and another similar unit achieving $13,000/d for 4/6 months basis dely Spore. Handies were more active, however reported rates were contradictory.
Handy (North Europe/Mediterranean)
Activity was once again very slow and there were no fixtures reported for grains out of BSea, a Handysize fixture for sure was kept private, however it was clear that activity was poor. From Cont two fixtures emerged: a standard Supramax got $11,000/d for a trip to Med and a 33,000 dwt agreed $10,500/d for a trip to East with dely France via Baltic tonnage willing to go this direction is lacking.
Handy (USA/N.Atlantic/Lakes/S.America)
This is the only area where the activity improved. This was probably due to the fact that the tonnage surplus allowed charterers to get tonnage on the cheap side more than a real upswing of demand. However a couple of Supramax fixtures were reported at higher figures on USG/FEast trade lane with a $16,000/d followed by $17,200/d. However shortly after a spot unit got $14,750/d. Activity was higher for TransAtlantic business where several Supramax were booked between $10/13,000/d depending on vessels' design and redelivery areas; rates improved. From S America Supramax got levels similar to those available from USG for TransAtlantic destinations. Only a 56,700 dwt was fixed to FEast at an improved $12,000/d + 200,000 bb. A 49,000 dwt was reported at $10,000/d for a trip to USG. A few Handysize were booked on TA trades in the region of $8,000/d.
Handy (Indian Ocean/South Africa)
Activity remained dull and demand was further limited by charterers fixing tonnage from FEast back to FEast on a two laden legs basis. A nice 55,000 dwt however got $11,750/d for 2/5 months, not bad considering the ongoing weakness in the area.
Banchero Costa and Co Spa
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Internet: www.bancosta.it