Small Handy
The mini-size vessel market maintained a steady to slightly firm tone, supported by consistent regional demand across steel, fertilizers, and scrap cargoes. Steel movements within Southeast Asia remained well supported, with coils ex Haiphong to Malaysia fixing in the low-20s USD pmt range, while WBP trades into Vietnam held firm at low- to mid-20s USD pmt. Longer steel voyages such as Phu My to Dahej were discussed at stronger low- to mid-30s USD pmt levels. Fertilizer trades showed mixed performance, as rock phosphate from CJK to Yeosu softened to single-digit levels, while urea shipments from Butterworth to Yangon and bagged MOP from North Vietnam to North China continued to command levels ranging from the low-teens up to around USD 20 pmt. Scrap exports remained a key pillar of support, with Singapore–Chittagong fixing around USD 30 pmt, indicating stable long-haul demand. Overall, nearby regional trades continue to underpin the market, with selective firmness seen on longer-haul routes.
Handysize
The Handysize sector continued to face headwinds amid persistently weak sentiment across both the Atlantic and Pacific basins. In the Continent and Mediterranean, an oversupply of open tonnage prevented any meaningful rate recovery, with levels slipping marginally from the previous period. The US Gulf market remained lacklustre as a growing vessel list exerted further downward pressure on freight rates, while activity in the South Atlantic was thin, with limited fixtures concluded and charterers bidding well below prior benchmarks. Across Asia, sentiment stayed negative, driven by rising vessel availability—particularly in Southeast Asia—combined with a lack of fresh cargo enquiries, which continued to weigh on rates. Consequently, the 7TC average declined by USD 286 to settle at USD 13,641. In the Pacific, a 28,000 DWT vessel was reported fixed at a rate of approximately USD 7,000 per day.
Supramax
The Supramax market remained under pressure this week, with weaker conditions evident across most regions. In the US Gulf, activity declined notably due to limited fresh enquiries and an increasing supply of available vessels. The South Atlantic and Continent continued to lack momentum, while in Asia, although cargo demand was present, rates faced downward pressure amid ample tonnage. An Ultramax vessel was reportedly secured for a trans-Atlantic trip at mid-USD 20,000s per day, though details were not disclosed. The African Baza (61,313 DWT, built 2015) was rumoured to have been fixed for delivery at Recalada for a voyage to the West Coast of South America at around USD 26,000 per day. In the Pacific, the V Star (56,734 DWT, built 2013) was reported fixed at USD 15,000 per day for delivery at Fujairah on a trip via Sitra to the West Coast of India with fertilizer, while the Tai Helios (53,000 DWT, built 2013) was heard fixed at USD 8,750 per day for delivery at Koh Sichang for a voyage via Indonesia to China. Additionally, the Clipper Teresa (63,000 DWT, built 2018) was rumoured to have fixed at around USD 12,500 per day for delivery at Koh Sichang on a trip via Indonesia to a port within Southeast Asia, with further details undisclosed.
Best regards,
