Small Handy
In the China–SEA region, the mini bulk market (10,000–15,000 dwt) recorded freight rates ranging from low to mid USD 10 pmt, mainly for fertilizers. For example, 15,000 mt ex Taizhou to Port Klang was concluded at mid USD 10 pmt, while an 8,000 dwt vessel carrying 6,500 mt of urea from Buterworth to KSC was offered at similar levels. Bagged fertilizer from Rizhao to Yangon was aimed at low USD 40 pmt by owners, which seemed unworkable. Wood pellets were also seen moving along these routes, with freight roughly in line with fertilizer. In India, scrap to Chittagong remained a regular flow, fixed in the high USD 20 pmt range. A 14,000 dwt vessel was reportedly fixed for 9,600 mt of scrap from SEA to ECI at this level, though the cargo was not ready. Overall, the Indian small vessel market was less active than China–SEA, but freight levels stayed relatively higher.
Handysize
The handysize market remained relatively quiet. In the Continent and Mediterranean, sentiment was steady and positional. The South Atlantic showed signs of improvement as some vessels were cleared and activity slightly increased. The US Gulf was slow, leading to a minor decline in rates. According to market reports, the Lady Lilly (28,397 dwt, 2013) was fixed for a trip from Ghent to East Mediterranean for scrap at around $9,300–9,500, with limited details disclosed. The UBC Tilbury (37,702 dwt, 2010) was placed on subjects for an inter-Caribbean trip at $17,000. In Asia, the market was also subdued, with future direction depending on fresh demand. The BBC Apollo (40,550 dwt, 2023) was open in Taichung on 12/13 September and fixed for a trip to Japan in the high $13,000s. The SN Opal (31,771 dwt, 2008) was open in Jakarta from 7/12 September and was fixed for an Australian round at $12,000 with Swire, though further details were not disclosed.
Supramax
The Supramax market remained steady with mixed trends across regions. In the US Gulf, the market appeared balanced, though diverging views began to surface. In the South Atlantic, stability prevailed, but more fresh inquiries were required to sustain current levels. Conversely, Asia continued to soften, with limited opportunities and slightly increased tonnage putting pressure on rates. In the Atlantic, the Oceanus (63,385 dwt, 2015) was fixed with delivery at Bremen for a Mediterranean voyage at $21,500. The Ocean Royal (58,110 dwt, 2012) was reported fixed from Up River at $16,000 plus a $600,000 ballast bonus for a trip to SE Asia. The Sentinel (63,301 dwt, 2013), open in Paranagua on 6/7 September, was fixed on a delivery basis from Santos to Chittagong at $16,500 plus a $650,000 ballast bonus. In the Pacific, the Xin Hai Tong 33 (56,559 dwt, 2012, scrubber fitted) was fixed at $14,000 basis Dibba for a voyage to Chittagong. The Al Nahda (57,592 dwt, 2012), open at Pipavav, was reported fixed at $19,750 basis Fujairah for a trip via Arabian Gulf with redelivery in WC India. The Chang Hang Han Hai (58,023 dwt, 2012) was fixed for a Philippines–China nickel ore voyage in the $16,000s. The Kristinita (58,105 dwt, 2011) was fixed for a NoPac–SE Asia round in the mid $15,000s.
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