Small Handy
The small handy market remained relatively firm overall but showed increasing resistance from charterers, leading to a widening bid-offer gap across several trades. North Asia steel shipments into Vietnam continued to command relatively strong levels in the high-20s to low-30s pmt depending on terms, while backhaul cargoes such as ammonium sulfate into Vietnam were reported around the low-20s pmt, with charterers pushing for lower levels.In regional Southeast Asia–Far East trades, silica sand shipments to Japan highlighted a clear divergence in expectations, with owners maintaining mid-to-high 20s pmt levels—often supported by BAF mechanisms—while charterers remained closer to the low-20s, indicating emerging downward pressure. Minor bulk cargoes such as copper concentrates within Southeast Asia and China continued to transact in the low-20s pmt range, suggesting stable underlying demand. Overall, the market remained steady but showed early signs of softening, particularly on longer-haul and backhaul routes where charterers were gaining more negotiating leverage.
Handysize
The handysize market experienced a subdued week, with weak sentiment prevailing across most loading regions. Activity in the Continent and Mediterranean remained limited, with little fresh inquiry and no significant change in fundamentals. In the U.S. Gulf, both bids and offers continued to trend lower as market participants adjusted expectations downward.The South Atlantic appeared relatively stable; however, rising bunker prices have started to weigh on achievable earnings. Notable fixtures included the Electra.GR (37,323 dwt), reportedly fixed for a grain trip from St. Lawrence to Morocco at approximately USD 20,000 per day, and the Daiwan Infinity (34,376 dwt), fixed from SW Pass to Atlantic Colombia at around USD 15,000 per day.In Asia, activity remained limited with generally flat sentiment and no major shifts in supply-demand dynamics. A large handysize vessel was reportedly placed on subjects for a Far East–Korea to East Coast India steel trip at mid-USD 14,000s. Meanwhile, 28,000–30,000 dwt vessels were fixed in the Pacific region at around USD 8,000–9,000 per day.
Supramax
The Supramax market in the Pacific remained subdued, with weak sentiment largely influenced by ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran and the U.S., which continued to dampen trading activity.Several fixtures were reported, including the Obe Lotus (55,884 dwt), fixed at around USD 15,000 per day for a trip to East Coast India, and the Astrid Schulte (61,255 dwt), fixed at approximately USD 16,000 per day for an Indonesia–Philippines voyage. The Young Harmony (63,567 dwt) was reportedly fixed at USD 17,000 per day for a Tianjin to Chittagong trip carrying slag. In the Indian Ocean, activity remained moderate, with the Obe Grand (58,613 dwt) fixed at around USD 12,500 per day for a Karachi–Salalah–Mombasa limestone voyage. On the period market, demand for modern tonnage remained firm. The Falcon Triumph (63,481 dwt) was reportedly fixed for a 3–5 month period at USD 18,000 per day, while the Emmanuel (63,371 dwt) secured a 4–6 month period at USD 17,500 per day. Additionally, the newbuilding Nature Flowing (63,692 dwt, built 2025) was heard placed on subjects for a one-year period at around USD 17,000 per day, highlighting continued charterers’ interest in eco and modern vessels for forward coverage, subject to final confirmation.
Best regards,
