Small Handy
The small handy market in Asia remained steady, mirroring last week’s tone with only minor adjustments. Scrap cargoes from Japan to Jakarta were quoted in the high USD 30s, while sugar and cement parcels were exchanged at mid-30s and low-teens USD per metric ton respectively. The overall sentiment is stable, with expectations for a slight improvement in the coming week. In India, the market was moderate, mainly driven by salt and fertilizer cargoes. Freight levels hovered around the 10–low 11 USD/mt range for bulk commodities such as salt ex-Kandla and MOP shipments. The market appeared balanced, though several owners preferred to hold positions in hopes of alternative cargoes offering better returns.
Handysize
The Handysize sector ended the week on a stable note, with cautious optimism present across both Atlantic and Pacific basins. Activity in the Continent and Mediterranean markets remained firm, while the South Atlantic experienced a relatively quiet session with rates unchanged from previous levels. In the U.S. Gulf, an increase in charterer interest and a tighter tonnage list contributed to improving sentiment. Reported fixtures included MV Armia Kjaiowa (39,071 DWT) delivering at Miss River for a prompt trip to East Coast Mexico at USD 23,500, and MV Iona Island (38,180 DWT) delivering at Panama City for a voyage to the UK–Continent at USD 29,000. Across Asia, market performance was stable, supported by a slightly improved cargo-to-tonnage ratio that pushed rates modestly higher. Owners of 24,000 DWT vessels aimed mid USD 7,000 for short clinker runs, while 28,000–30,000 DWT units were exchanged at mid USD 8,000 for Pacific-round voyages.
Supramax
The Supramax market saw mixed dynamics across regions this week. In the Atlantic, trading was subdued with limited new activity, as the U.S. Gulf continued to struggle for momentum, while the Mediterranean showed slight positivity. In Asia, sentiment improved moderately despite the Singapore long weekend slowing down activity, and rates generally strengthened across major routes. In the Atlantic, MV Aruna Berk (57,450 DWT, 2011) was reportedly fixed from Lome on October 17 for a bauxite trip via Conakry to China at USD 20,500 per day. In the Pacific, MV Ocean Destiny (55,848 DWT, 2011) open Kwangyang Oct 10–12 was rumoured fixed for a clinker trip via the Far East to West Africa at USD 12,750 for the first 50 days and USD 15,000 thereafter. MV Sotiria (63,528 DWT, 2025) was fixed from CJK via NoPac to Bangladesh at USD 17,000, while MV Jia Yue (63,319 DWT, 2019) delivered Lianyungang to West Africa at USD 14,500. MV Euro Band (58,761 DWT, 2009) was fixed from Fujairah via Goa to the Mediterranean at USD 12,000. Meanwhile, MV Jag Radha (58,133 DWT, 2009) was fixed via Indonesia with delivery Singapore and redelivery India at USD 18,000. Lastly, MV Alrayan (56,859 DWT, 2011) open Haiphong was reported fixed for a trip via Indonesia with redelivery China at USD 10,500 DOP.
Best regards,
