Capesize (Atlantic and Pacific)
Before Eastern holidays Capesize market basically kept its trend and remained marginally negative in both basins. In Pacific, charterers managed to shave couple of cents from the last done levels: W. Australia/China round declined to $7.10. Although good activities were reported on S. Africa to India, rates were still quite low with coal cargoes paid mid-$9 to Krishnapatnam and low-$11 to Dhamra respectively. The Atlantic market was slightly more active later in the week but rates remained stable: $5,000/d was agreed for a round trip with vessels open in Continent and fronthaul from Brazil to China was firm in the low/mid $17.
Panamax (Atlantic and Pacific)
With Easter holiday approaching, rates slid a bit during last week after a long-lasting strong market. Out of Atlantic, Charterers with cargoes from S. America were trying to hold off from fixing. S. America grain business to Far East was concluded at $16,500/d. TransAtlantic trades were limited and reported at around $9,500/d. In Pacific, most of the activity was concluded at around $9,000/d for Australia or Indonesia RV basis delivery S. China. The period sector saw less interest from charterers and rates lowered to around $9,500/d this week.
Handy (Far East/Pacific)
Supramax spot activity this week was more active on the Indonesia/China-S. Korea leg on which a 58,000 tonner fixed $15,000/d basis Indonesia/S. Korea and a 55,000 was agreed at $14,000 daily with dely Singapore via Indonesia and redely China. With the volume of the activity fading away during the week the only reported deal concluded to India was for a 55,000 tonner paid $12,400/d basis dely Philippines via Indonesia to EC India. It was interesting to see a 32,000 tonner fixed at $14,000/d on a trip from WCSAm to Far East, while a backhaul business saw a 33,000 tonner booking a trip from S. China to Brazil at $3,750/d for the first 55 days and $8,500/d for the rest of the voyage. Supramax period interest was still there with a 52,000 dwt fixed at $10,500 for 3/5 months dely Japan, a 57,000 dwt with heavier consumption $9,500/d basis dely N. China and another similar unit that managed to get $10,759/d due to a better dely in Spore.
Handy (North Europe/Mediterranean)
Again there were very few reports of concluded business from this area and the chartering activity quieter further due probably to the forthcoming Catholic Easter holidays. A 34,000 tonner was fixed at $10,000/d with delivery Morocco for a trip via N. Europe to E. Med, probably to carry scrap. Handysize grains cargoes were still moving from N. France to N. Africa with charterers indicating freight levels around $21/22 pmt.
Handy (USA/N.Atlantic/Lakes/S.America)
Also Atlantic America appears to have some slowdown in connection with the Easter holidays, less tonnage was reported fixed at slightly lower rates. From the US Gulf a 53,000 tonner got $20,000/d for a trip to Far East and a 56,000 dwt fetched $19,000 to carry pet coke to Turkey. From South America a 58,000 fancy type fixed basis dely aps S. Brazil $15,000 plus $400,000 ballast bonus to carry grains to the Fareast.
Handy (Indian Ocean/South Africa)
Even though the customary trades from India towards East and from S. Africa in both directions were still missing, rates in the area kept reasonably firm. This may be seen from the South African coal round trip fixed at $10,500/d basis delivery dop India. Several charterers were surprised about the above fixture since they struggled to achieve reasonable levels from owners.
Banchero Costa and Co Spa
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