Small Handy
The small vessel market maintained a firm and active sentiment this week, with freight rates generally holding steady or edging slightly higher across most regions. Agricultural commodities continued to lend strong support, with corn and rice shipments from Southeast Asia to regional destinations concluded in the low to mid-20s USD pmt range. Fertilizer cargoes were softer, hovering between the mid-teens and low-20s depending on origin and parcel size. Scrap cargoes remained the main driver, with rates on Far East–Southeast Asia routes reaching the mid- to high-30s USD pmt, reflecting steady demand and limited tonnage.
Handysize
The Handysize market displayed a mixed tone this week. Some regions held steady, while others saw slight softening. On the Continent and in the Mediterranean, rates were largely unchanged, indicating a stable but slightly subdued tone compared to previous weeks. The South Atlantic and U.S. Gulf remained quiet, with minimal fresh demand and stagnant rates. In Asia, although fixture activity was limited, sentiment stayed cautiously optimistic. The 7TC average slipped by USD 65 to USD 15,847. In the period market, the Charlie (35,139 dwt, built 2011) was reportedly fixed for 4–6 months at USD 15,500/day, with unconfirmed talk of USD 16,000 from Baltnav. In the Pacific, a 28,000 dwt ship was fixed at USD 9,000/day for a short period, while another 28,000 dwt vessel was taken at USD 10,000/day, delivery Penang, for a sugar cargo from Australia to Vietnam.
Supramax
The Supramax market softened slightly in the Atlantic this week. A 63,000 dwt open in the U.S. Gulf was reportedly fixed at USD 32,000/day for a grain trip to the Continent, while a 64,000 dwt in South Brazil was concluded at USD 24,500/day for a voyage to China. In Asia, sentiment was flat with varied activity. A 56,000 dwt vessel open at Weda was fixed at USD 15,000/day for nickel ore to China; a 57,000 dwt in Cam Pha was fixed at USD 17,500/day for a trip to Bangladesh; and a 61,000 dwt in Thailand secured USD 12,000/day for a short haul to Cambodia. A 58,000 dwt opening at CJK was fixed at USD 13,000/day for steel to the Persian Gulf, while a 64,000 dwt in North China was taken at USD 15,500/day for a voyage to Bangladesh via NOPAC. On the Indian Ocean–Persian Gulf corridor, a 61,000 dwt in Malé secured USD 17,000/day plus a USD 170,000 ballast bonus for an RBCT–Bin Qasim trip. A 62,000 dwt in Fujairah was fixed at USD 15,500/day for a trip to Bangladesh, while a 58,000 dwt on India’s east coast was rated around USD 9,500/day for ore to China, prompting many owners to ballast toward Singapore where rates stood around USD 13,000/day for trips to China.
Best regards,
