Small Handy
The small size market showed a mixed performance over the past week, with activity remaining uneven across regions. Fertiliser movements from South China to the Southeast Asian and Inner Sea trades were reported at stable levels around USD 23–24 pmt, reflecting steady but unspectacular demand. Vessels in the 10,000–13,000 DWT range were fixed for Southeast Asia–Mid China trades at daily rates ranging from approximately USD 5,000 to USD 7,000, depending on positioning and laycan. In Vietnam, market sources indicated a rumoured fixture of 5,000 mt silica sand ex Nghi Son to Kaohsiung at around USD 7.5 pmt, while similar cargoes moving further into the Far East achieved higher levels in the USD 12–14 pmt range. For slightly larger tonnage, units of 13,000–15,000 DWT were heard fixing at USD 7,500–10,000 per day for Southeast Asia–Far East trading. Meanwhile, petcoke demand provided some support, with 8,000 mt ex Jakarta to North China reported at around USD 25 pmt. Urea movements within the Inner Sea also showed moderate activity, with voyage offers discussed in the mid-teens pmt for shipments from Butterworth to Koh Sichang, while PKE cargoes in the same area were quoted at similar levels. Overall sentiment remains stable, supported by regional demand, though upside potential appears limited.
Handysize
The Handysize market remained generally quiet, with limited fresh activity reported across most basins. The Continent and Mediterranean continued to face soft fundamentals, resulting in an absence of reported fixtures and subdued chartering interest. In contrast, sentiment in the US Gulf stayed comparatively firm, supported by a tightening supply of prompt tonnage, although actual fixing volume remained modest. The South Atlantic saw some fresh enquiries and cargo flow, but this was insufficient to absorb the existing tonnage overhang, keeping rates under pressure. In Asia, trading activity remained sluggish, with ongoing downward pressure on rates as the tonnage list continued to lengthen, particularly in Southeast Asia. A 31,639 DWT vessel, Clipper Clyde, was reported fixed from South China to Thailand at USD 8,800 per day, though further details were not disclosed. Additionally, a 28,000 DWT vessel was heard offered for prompt delivery in Southeast Asia for a trip via Malaysia with redelivery on the West Coast of India, carrying steels, at around USD 13,500 per day. Overall, the market tone remains cautious, with charterers retaining leverage in most regions.
Supramax
The Supramax market softened slightly in the Atlantic over the week, reflecting mixed demand across sub-regions. A 56,000 DWT vessel open at Recalada was reported fixed at USD 16,000 per day for a grain trip to China, while a larger 64,000 DWT vessel in West Africa concluded a stronger fixture at around USD 22,500 per day for a voyage to South China, highlighting regional rate divergence. In Asia, sentiment remained broadly flat, with a mix of fixtures reported at varying levels. A 56,000 DWT vessel at Weda was fixed at USD 14,000 per day for a nickel ore shipment to China, while a 57,000 DWT unit at Cam Pha was heard rated at USD 18,500 per day for a trip to Bangladesh. Elsewhere, a 61,000 DWT vessel in Thailand earned approximately USD 14,500 per day for a short haul to Cambodia, and a 64,000 DWT vessel in North China achieved around USD 14,000 per day for a NOPAC–Bangladesh voyage. The Indian Ocean showed more noticeable improvement, with a 63,000 DWT vessel delivering at Saldanha Bay fixed at USD 21,000 per day plus a USD 210,000 ballast bonus for redelivery to China. Further support came from a 62,000 DWT vessel in Fujairah fixing at USD 16,500 per day for Bangladesh, while a 63,000 DWT unit on India’s east coast earned around USD 14,000 per day for an ore shipment to China. Overall sentiment in the Supramax segment remains mixed, with stronger pockets in the Indian Ocean offset by softer conditions elsewhere.
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