- Small Handy
The market delivered a mixed performance last week, marked by significant uncertainty over cargo readiness across the Pacific region. Prompt bookings came under intense pressure, compelling charterers to raise freight levels. The bagged rice trade showed signs of revival, with rumors that a 12,000 DWT vessel was fixed at just under USD 6,000 for a voyage through the Thai Gulf to Japan. Similarly, reports emerged of a 13,000 DWT vessel open in Vietnam being offered at low USD 5,000 for a two‑ or three‑leg charter with redelivery in the Singapore–Japan range, though further details remain undisclosed. The ferro‑nickel trade also saw activity, with charterers pegging rates in the mid‑USD 10s per ton for approximately 11,000 tons of cargo moving from the Philippines to South China.
- Handysize
Handysize fundamentals in the Continent and Mediterranean regions remained weak last week, characterized by low activity and minimal tonnage movement. While the US Gulf and South Atlantic saw some fresh demand, it proved insufficient to absorb surplus capacity, keeping rates flat around prior levels. According to market reports, a 35,000 mt vessel was fixed at $9,000 per day for a fertilizer voyage from Safi to New Orleans, though further details were unavailable. In the Pacific, Asian markets stayed sluggish, with an extended tonnage list persisting in Southeast Asia. Notable fixtures included the Aquamarine SW (37,119 DWT), fixed from Mundra via Salalah to Japan with gypsum at $9,750 per day, and the Federal Thunder Bay (34,763 DWT), rumored to have been fixed at $10,000 per day for a mineral sand run from Western Australia to Thailand, although specific terms were not disclosed.
- Supramax
Asian freight rates remained largely stable last week, with only marginal upward movement and no significant shift in overall activity. The Yin Ning (53,393 dwt, 2008) was fixed at $12,000 per day for a voyage from Jakarta to Cambodia, while the Kang Huan (52,810 dwt, 2004) secured a charter with delivery in Surabaya for a trip via Indonesia to the China‑Japan‑Korea range at rates rumored between the mid‑$11,000s and mid‑$15,000s. Sentiment in the Indian Ocean region held firm, as evidenced by the Klima (56,753 dwt, 2013) being fixed at $15,250 per day, basis delivery Fujairah for a voyage to Western India. Meanwhile, the Pangeo (56,956 dwt, 2009) was reported fixed at around $10,000 per day for a run from the Arabian Gulf to the Red Sea, although specific chartering terms were not disclosed.
Best regards,
