SMALL HANDY:
The small tonnages in the Pacific market this week have maintained a similar trend to the previous week. In China/Far East, there have been orders for steel and fertilizer shipments from North China to Southeast Asia. Specifically, 11,000 dwt vessels were rated at around $5,000 for a trip from North China to Indonesia, with owners targeting mid $5,000 or close to $6,000. A 6,000-ton fertilizer shipment from CJK range to Korea was reportedly fixed at a low teen rate, while owners aimed for close to USD20 per metric ton. Additionally, 10,000-13,000 dwt vessels in the Southeast Asia range were rated around $4,000 – $4,500, subject to speed and consumption for trips within SEA. The India market continues to face challenges, with little fresh inquiry reported.
HANDYSIZE:
In the Atlantic region, owners reported improvements in both cargo flow and hire levels, recording around $10,300 at the closing day. A 35,000 DWT vessel was fixed at $10,200 for a trip from Greece to Sfax. In the ECSA and USG areas, congestion from the Panama Channel significantly impacted rates, with high-level discussions throughout the week. However, there were still limited new orders opening. The Pacific region reported no significant improvement in the market during the week, with a 30,000 DWT vessel rated at around $6,000 for a trip within SEA range. In China and the Far East, a 30,000 DWT vessel was rated at $6,800 for a trip from North China to Sulawesi. There was a downtrend in India and the Persian Gulf, with coastal cargo flow and PG inner routes experiencing a drop. As recorded, the hire rate for a 34,000 DWT vessel was $6,200 for a limestone trip from PG to Kandla.
SUPRAMAX:
The Supramax segment experienced high activity with numerous positive reports, especially in the Indian Ocean. Some sources mentioned Supramax vessels being fixed at $7,000-$8,000 for a trip from the East Coast India to China, but recent fixtures have reached $14,000-$15,000. The MV Meghna Rose, a 57,480 dwt vessel from 2006, prompt delivery in Salalah, was reportedly fixed for a trip redelivering in Bangladesh with gypsum cargo at $15,750. In the Pacific range, a 56,000 dwt vessel open in Vietnam was rumored to have been fixed via Indonesia with redelivery in South China in the mid-$12,000s. The MV Bao Success, a 56,919 dwt vessel from 2009 open in Kuantan in early December, was heard to have been fixed for a trip via Indonesia with redelivery in South China in the mid-$13,000 range.
BY ASCENT BULK
