Small Handy
The small handy market showed mixed performance over the past week, with freight levels varying notably across regions and cargo types. Fertilizer shipments from South China to the regional seas were concluded in the low-teens, although owners were seeking firmer levels closer to the low-20s. Similar fertilizer movements from the regional seas to the Far East were reported in a wider range from low to high teens. Other cargoes provided additional support, with 5,600 mt of cement pipes fixed from Phu My to Anping at high-teens and 6,300 mt of copra from the Philippines to Korea achieving high-20s. Market sources also indicated that 7,700 mt of wood pellets from Jakarta to the Philippines were fixed around the mid-30s. In the inner Asian trades, a 6,000 mt urea cargo was quoted at mid-teens, while a larger 17,000 mt bulk maize shipment from Yangon to the Philippines was fixed at high-20s. Bagged rice trades from India remained steady, with rates typically ranging from high-teens to low-20s.
Handysize
Handysize market conditions remained under pressure as key indicators continued to soften. The BHSI declined by a further 11 points to 613, while the 7TC average slipped by USD 189 to USD 11,040 per day. Trading activity in the Continent and Mediterranean was subdued, with no notable fixtures reported. In the US Gulf, sentiment appeared relatively stable, supported by a modest improvement in cargo inquiries and early signs of tightening vessel supply. The South Atlantic saw some fresh cargo interest; however, this was insufficient to materially absorb the existing tonnage overhang. Across Asia, trading remained sluggish, with freight rates facing ongoing downward pressure amid an expanding list of open vessels, particularly in Southeast Asia. In the Pacific, daily earnings for 28,000 DWT vessels were generally assessed in the range of USD 5,000 to 6,000.
Supramax
The Supramax market softened slightly in the Atlantic during the week. A 56,000 DWT vessel open at Recalada was fixed at USD 14,000 per day plus a USD 140,000 ballast bonus for a grain voyage to China, while a 64,000 DWT vessel in West Africa concluded at USD 22,500 per day for a trip to South China. In Asia, sentiment weakened further with noticeable drops in both freight levels and cargo availability. A 56,000 DWT vessel at Weda was fixed at USD 7,500 per day for a nickel ore cargo to China, while a 57,000 DWT vessel at Cam Pha was reportedly fixed at USD 10,500 per day for Bangladesh. Additionally, a 61,000 DWT vessel in Thailand earned USD 9,500 per day for a short voyage to Cambodia, and a 64,000 DWT vessel in North China achieved USD 11,000 per day for a NOPAC to Bangladesh run. The Indian Ocean showed clearer signs of improvement, highlighted by a 63,000 DWT vessel delivering at Saldanha Bay fixed at USD 16,500 per day plus USD 165,000 ballast bonus for redelivery in China, alongside a 62,000 DWT vessel in Fujairah earning USD 13,500 per day for Bangladesh and a 63,000 DWT vessel on India’s east coast earning around USD 9,000 per day for an ore shipment to China.
