Small Handy
The small-size market remained stable but cautious last week, with limited volumes and freight costs continuing to exert a strong influence on sentiment. A 5,500 mt fertilizer cargo from Bahodopi to Dong Nai was reportedly fixed at around USD 23 per ton, indicating steady regional demand, although Vietnamese receivers were said to be increasingly selective. Meanwhile, a 5,000 mt scrap shipment from Jurong to Chittagong was offered in the USD 40s per ton, broadly in line with prevailing freight levels but reflecting subdued demand from Bangladesh amid weak steel margins. Overall, sentiment remained rangebound, with receivers resisting higher levels and freight costs capping any meaningful upside for small parcels.
Handysize
Despite a pick-up in reported activity, the Handysize market showed early signs of losing momentum, with gains remaining uneven and largely position-driven. In the Atlantic, enquiry persisted, but sentiment turned more cautious as ample tonnage and limited follow-through prevented any sustained upside. The Continent–Mediterranean saw sporadic fresh enquiry, though the market remained weighed down by a sizeable open tonnage list, keeping rates close to last-done levels. In the South Atlantic, pockets of support were still evident, but the market appeared increasingly balanced rather than firmly supported. Asian trading remained active yet fragile, as limited volume and a still-healthy tonnage list curtailed broader recovery. A 28,000 DWT vessel was reported fixed at around USD 6,000–7,000 per day for a northbound to Southeast Asia trip, or at lower levels for shorter employment.
Supramax
The Supramax market showed a modest upward trend during the period, supported by increased fixing activity as owners and charterers positioned ahead of the upcoming Lunar New Year holidays. This pre-holiday securing of tonnage and cargoes contributed to firmer sentiment and tightening prompt availability on several routes. A series of fixtures was reported across Asia, including the Otzias (56,720 DWT, 2012), fixed with delivery Koh Sichang for a Bangladesh trip at USD 11,000 per day with feldspar. The Princess Erin (57,334 DWT, 2011) was fixed delivery Singapore for a trip via Indonesia, redelivery CJK, at USD 7,000 per day. The Belguardian (61,070 DWT, 2021), open Subic Bay prompt, was heard fixed for a voyage via Dongguan with redelivery Lome, carrying clinker, at USD 9,500 per day on a split rate of USD 15,000. In the Indian Ocean, the Valiant (55,561 DWT, 2009) was fixed basis delivery Bin Qasim for a trip via the Arabian Gulf, redelivery Bangladesh, at USD 12,000 per day. Further fixtures included the Genco Predator (55,407 DWT, 2005) fixed delivery Qinzhou for a trip via Vietnam to Penang with clinker at USD 10,000 per day, the Busan Star (57,336 DWT, 2011) fixed delivery Taichung for a trip via Indonesia to the CJK range at USD 6,000 per day, and the Yasa Sun (63,971 DWT, 2025) fixed delivery Rizhao for a Bangladesh trip at USD 10,000 per day.
Best regards,
