Small Handy
The Asia market remained unchanged from last week. Fertilizer demand was still active, with 6,000 mt of bagged fertilizer ex mid-China to Port Kelang fixed at mid–high USD 30 pmt, while 8,000 mt of fertilizer ex Taixing to Quy Nhon was fixed with an 8,700 dwt vessel at the high-teens level. Smaller shipments showed lower freight ideas, such as 6,000 mt of urea ex Yantai to Janghang aiming at low–high USD 10 pmt, similar to levels for urea ex Butterworth to KSC or Xiuyu to Ho Chi Minh. Other commodities such as mill scales, steels, and ball clays were also traded at low–mid USD 10 pmt. Vessels of 8,000–10,000 dwt were fixed at high USD 4,000 to low USD 6,000 for one TCT, while larger units of 15,000–19,000 dwt commanded higher levels around mid USD 6,000 to low USD 7,000. Overall, demand was steady but freight levels remained under pressure.
Handysize
In the Handysize segment, the Continent and Mediterranean markets remained stable with no significant rate movement. In the South Atlantic and US Gulf, incremental demand helped push rates slightly higher. According to market reports, the Vega Falktind (31,754 dwt, 2011) in the UAE was fixed for an inter-Arabian Gulf trip with petcoke at $9,000, though no further details were disclosed. The Tomoni Solano (38,835 dwt) was reportedly fixed from New Orleans for a fronthaul trip to India at a rate in the low $20,000s. In Asia, supply and demand were balanced, with rates holding at previous levels. Higher levels were recorded for quick trips to Southeast Asia basis DOP Far East as follows: 28,000 dwt at $9,250–10,250/day, 32,000 dwt at $11,250–12,250/day, and 38,000 dwt at $12,250–13,250/day. Sentiment for next week remained steady, with expectations of increased activity ahead of the Golden Week holidays.
Supramax
The Supramax market showed slight improvement, though fundamentals largely remained unchanged. In Asia, sentiment was generally negative, though some demand persisted further north for backhaul runs. In the Atlantic, the Sikinos (63,777 dwt, 2023) open in Conakry was reportedly fixed for a trip via Kamsar to China with bauxite at $26,000, while some sources suggested closer to $23,000. The Fu Chun Jiang (64,719 dwt, 2024) was reported fixed for delivery at Dafeng for a trip via China to West Africa, carrying steel and general cargo at $18,000. In the Pacific, the Aani (61,631 dwt, 2015) was fixed basis delivery at Dongfang for a clinker trip via Campha to Chittagong at $23,000, though alternative reports placed it closer to $22,000. The Spar Gemini (53,113 dwt, 2007) was fixed from General Santos via Indonesia to Bangladesh with clinker at $18,000, though some indicated mid/high $16,000s. From the Indian Ocean, the Great Justice (56,071 dwt, 2007), open in Mumbai end-September, was reportedly fixed for delivery to Kandla for a China trip in the low $7,000s, though further details were unavailable.
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