- Small Handy
The small Handy & mini-bulk segment in China and Southeast Asia remained largely steady this week. Fertilizer continues to dominate the cargo mix, with a 14,000 MT urea parcel shipped from South China to the Philippines reportedly fixed at high $10s/MT. An inbound vessel of 6,000 dwt was heard asking for low $30s pmt to carry jumbo-bag fertilizer from Zhenjiang to Surabaya. Another fixture included a 12,000 dwt vessel fixed at high $17s pmt for a gypsum run from Thailand to Brunei. Steel cargo remained in demand, with a 20,000 MT general steel parcel fixed from Fangcheng to Manila at mid $10s pmt, equal to fixtures of 10,000 MT steel scrap from Singapore to Phu My. Other cargos such as cement from Hongai to Kuching were reported at high $10s to low $20s pmt. A clinker run of 18,000 MT from Lumut to Kota Kinabalu was fixed at under $10s pmt. Short-period demand surfaced this week, with smaller vessels (6,500–17,000 dwt) reportedly fixing at low rates—$2,000–$3,000/day. Despite overall stability, the market remains fragile—particularly for vessels under 10,000 dwt. In India, rates remain buoyant. A 12,000 dwt vessel carrying coils from Long An to Mumbai was fixed at low to mid $30s pmt, and steel scrap trades from Singapore to East Coast India remain common at high $20s pmt. Indian small Handy rates continue outperforming the China–SEA region due to steady demand for familiar cargoes.
- Handysize
The week wrapped up on a positive note, with confidence expected to persist across both the Atlantic and Pacific basins. The BHSI edged up by 3 points to 673, while the 7TC closed at $12,110. In Europe, sentiment across the Continent and Mediterranean remained subdued yet upbeat, as freight rates continued their slow but steady climb. Meanwhile, the South Atlantic and U.S. Gulf regions displayed a stable tone, marked by minimal fluctuations and solid underlying fundamentals. In Asia, the market extended its upward momentum, supported by a cautiously optimistic outlook as rate levels firmed. A 23,000 DWT vessel open in Penang was offered at USD 5,000 for a clinker cargo from Indonesia to Chittagong.
- Supramax
The Supramax segment continued to build on its positive momentum this week, with firm rates across the Atlantic and significant resilience in Asia. In the Atlantic, a 63,000 DWT vessel opening in the U.S. Gulf secured a solid rate of $20,500/day for a grain trip to India, while another 64,000 DWT unit in the Continent was fixed at $13,000/day for a scrap voyage via Turkey. This growth aligns with recent weekly insights showing the Supramax segment advancing for the fourth consecutive week, with strong Atlantic demand and tightening tonnage lists. Meanwhile, Asia showed continued upward pressure. A 56,000 DWT vessel open in Surabaya was reportedly fixed at $13,300/day for a clinker trip to China. A 55,000 DWT ship in Cam Pha drew $16,000/day for a Bangladesh voyage, and a 61,000 DWT vessel in Thailand was chartered at $12,000/day for a trip to Cambodia. In the China–Far East region, a 58,000 DWT vessel with delivery in CJK fixed at $13,000/day for a steel run to the Persian Gulf. Another larger 64,000 DWT open in Bohai Bay was rated at $14,000/day for a trip to Africa. On the Indian Ocean/Persian Gulf circuit, a 56,000 DWT vessel open in Malé reportedly closed a deal at $18,000/day plus a $180,000 ballast bonus for a journey from RBCT to Bin Qasim. A 62,000 DWT unit in Fujairah fixed at $13,500/day on an aggregate voyage to Bangladesh, while a 58,000 DWT vessel on the East Coast of India was rated at $8,500/day for an ore trip to China. However, many owners are preferring to ballast to Singapore for better cargo options. Overall, firm Atlantic fundamentals and sustained Asian demand are maintaining upward pressure across the Supramax sector, strengthened by tightening tonnage numbers and active forward fixtures
Best regards,
