1. Small Handy
Pacific small-tonnage vessels saw improved activity this week compared to the previous week. Vessels ranging from 6,000 to 15,000 DWT were offered at freights of high USD 10 pmt to high USD 30 pmt for voyage charters, or from low USD 6,000 to low USD 9,000 for time charters. A clinker shipment from North Vietnam to Kuching was fixed at high USD 10 pmt to low USD 20 pmt. Additionally, bulk scrap cargo was exchanged at low USD 6,000 for a time charter trip from Japan to Vietnam. Bagged rice cargo from South Vietnam to the Philippines was reported to have been fixed at high USD 30 pmt. Adverse weather conditions caused scheduling delays for several vessels.
2. Handysize
The week concluded with subdued activity and minimal changes in overall market dynamics. The Atlantic market maintained stable sentiment without significant developments. The U.S. Gulf experienced a slight decline in rates due to high tonnage availability and limited fresh demand, amidst slow activity. In the South Atlantic, modest increases in activity were observed, with a few prompt vessels securing fixtures.
In Asia, the market softened further as increased tonnage availability exerted downward pressure on rates. By week’s end, the 7TC average fell by $26, settling at $12,337.
Notable Atlantic fixtures included:
- The Lanna Naree (33,843 DWT, 2012) fixed for delivery APS Rotterdam, with redelivery to East Mediterranean for scrap at $12,000.
- A 33,000-DWT vessel was fixed for salt transport, delivery APS South Spain, redelivery to Gdansk at $9,000.
- The Mottler (30,806 DWT, 2009) failed to secure subjects for a grain-carrying trip from Recalada to Casablanca at $12,500.
- The Hydra Dawn (34,274 DWT, 2013) was fixed for delivery from Vitoria (17–23 November) on a trip via upriver to Turkey, with rates between $13,500 and $13,900.
In the Pacific, activity remained quieter, with a 28,000-DWT vessel rumored to be fixed for delivery from the South Philippines via Southeast Asia to the Far East at $8,000.
3. Supramax
The Supramax market reflected continued weak sentiment, particularly in Asia, due to limited fresh inquiries.
- The MV Atacama Queen (51,213 DWT, 2011) open in Taiwan was fixed at $9,000 for an Indonesia-to-China coal run.
- The MV FW Mercury (64,240 DWT, 2023) open in Kendari early November was fixed for a trip from Indonesia to China at $15,000.
- The MV Tan Zhou Lun (58,054 DWT, 2015) open in Manila early November was fixed for a trip from Indonesia to Bangladesh at high $14,000s.
- The MV CLM Pearl (58,092 DWT, 2010) open in Surabaya, first half November, was fixed for an Indonesian run to Cambodia at $14,500.
By Ascent Bulk
