1.Small Handy
The mini-size tonnage market around the Pacific saw some fluctuations this past week, driven by imbalanced demand and supply conditions. A slight tightening in vessel availability has been observed, which may support marginal freight rate increases going forward. In India, there were some indications of cargo activity, although not particularly strong. An 18,000-ton bentonite shipment was reportedly fixed at mid-teens pmt levels for a voyage from the East Coast to the West Kalimantan range.In Southeast Asia, there was healthy demand for scrap and general cargoes, particularly from the southern region. Market talk suggested that a 10,000 DWT vessel was put on subs at around USD 8,000 for a scrap cargo from West Kalimantan to the East Coast India range. However, further details remain unconfirmed.
2. Handysize
The maritime market continues to face lackluster activity across both the Atlantic and Pacific basins. Despite vessel owners’ efforts to maintain freight rates, the persistent oversupply of tonnage remains a major hurdle. In the South Atlantic and U.S. Gulf regions, market sentiment is especially weak, characterized by minimal fixing activity and cautious bidding from charterers. Over in Asia, the tone remains bearish, fueled by ongoing uncertainty regarding short-term market direction. As a result, the Handysize 7TC average declined by $147, closing at $10,542. In the Pacific, cargo movement remains muted, with 32,000 DWT vessels fixing around USD 7,000 for clinker cargoes bound for Taiwan.
- Supramax
Market activity in the US Gulf and Continent–Mediterranean regions remained muted, maintaining a generally subdued sentiment across the Atlantic. While the Atlantic market showed a fragile balance, underlying tone stayed weak. Meanwhile, in the Pacific, sentiment improved slightly following the Indonesian holiday, as a rise in inquiries encouraged vessel owners to show firmer resistance.
In terms of fixtures, the MV Ceylon Breeze (63,323 DWT, 2016) was reportedly fixed at around $11,000 for a voyage from Vinh Tan to Southeast Asia, although full details were not disclosed. The MV He Sheng Fang (56,381 DWT, 2012) secured a trip via Indonesia to the Philippines, with delivery passing Singapore on April 12–13, at a rate of $10,400. Additionally, a 58,000 DWT vessel was fixed for a voyage from the Philippines to Thailand via East Kalimantan at $14,000.
