SMALL HANDY
Small tonnage in Pacific market this week maintained the upward trend as the last week, with many activities. Although a small tonnage market has improved, shortage of cargo still occurred. This problem has not changed because of some reasons. Some Owners still prefer to trade to the Northern Area of Asia, they still did not take interest to trade to India although there are many cargos that needed delivery to this area. Likewise, some shipments to Thailand were not considered because the owners were worried no cargo to move there. Meanwhile, there is still has some cargo Charterers that advised low freight, and because of the kind of the cargo, it made it hard for the owners to proceed, therefore they refused. There have been some shipments that can try for part cargo, but Owners declined because they were worried that it is difficult to find another suitable part cargo then can make loss for them.
HANDYSIZE
For the handy segment, at the end of this week, the upward momentum slowed. After a few balanced days, positivity returned to the Continent and the Mediterranean with improving levels of fresh enquiry. In the South Atlantic, there is an ongoing lack of prompt tonnage availability helping numbers improve for both Atlantic and West Coast South America destinations. After the sustained period of negativity in the US Gulf, brokers spoke of improving levels of enquiry and at present limited tonnage available for March loading helping to improve levels for owners. According to market information, the Stellar Isabela dwt 37,993 open San Lorenzo was linked to fixing basis when were ready for a trip via Upriver to WC South American with an intended cargo of grains at a rate between $26,000 and $27,000 to Weco Bulk. The Nordic Nanjing dwt 35,713 open Douala was rumored to have been fixed basis delivery Antonina with mid-March dates for a trip to Antwerp-Rotterdam-Amsterdam-Ghent with an intended cargo of sugar at a rate between $18,000 and $19,500 but further details were yet to surface. For tonnage across the Pacific region, cargo availability was said to have been reducing substantially in recent days and negative sentiment and softening numbers were becoming more evident. Some charterers withdrawn their idea which they said before and fixed cheaper vessel with prompt date. The Tao Treasure 25,036 open Busan mid-March was fixed via Indonesia to Singapore-Japan at $11,500. In the Arabian Gulf, the Danae 40,015 was rumored to have been fixed basis delivery Jebel Ali with prompt dates for a trip to the US Gulf with an intended cargo of steels at $15,000 for the first 65 days and $19,000 for the balance whilst others heard this was basis 70 days to Hanson, but additional information was not yet available.
SUPRAMAX
From Atlantic areas, there some improvement being seen. Mediterranean and Continent witnessed the number around $20,150 with various direction were discussed at good hire level. A 52,000 DWT open West Africa was fixed $20,000 for trip with grain to Spain. USG and ECSA was reported with slight improvement in cargo available. A 56,000 DWT open USG was heard fixed at $26,000 for trip from Venezuela to China with Iron ore. In Asia, market witnessed noticeable increase in new enquires also hire rate level. Reported that standard SMX open SEA was rate at 20’s. A 57,000 DWT open Gresik heard hold $21,000 for one trip from South Kalimantan to South China. Other 56,000 DWT open Bintulu fixed $22,000 for trip from Indonesia to CJK.
For Aussie round, some order discussed during the week with impressive rate. Heard 61,000 DWT Owners expected $20,000 for trip delivery Thailand and redelivery SEA. SMX delivery North China for Aussie trip seen at $13,500. China/Feast market reported with some improvements in both cargo availability and hire rate Charterers rated 57,000 DWT at $14,000 delivery North China for trip to Indonesia. While, 55,000 DWT open Tianjin was fixed $13,000 for trip from Korea to ECI.
India market was reported remain stable. Heard 58,000 DWT was fixed $19,500 for trip via PG delivery from WCI to WCI. In East Coast, A 56K DWT was fixed $15,000 for trip from East Coast India to China with Iron ore.
