Small Handy
The small-sized market showed mixed performance last week. Within Southeast Asia, cargoes such as sugar and coal were exchanged around high-teens to low-20s PMT. A 15,000 mt MOP shipment within the region was reportedly fixed at mid-teens levels. Vessels around 13,000 DWT were rated in the high USD 6,000 to low USD 7,000 per day range. Market sources also indicated that a 12,000 mt gypsum cargo from Thailand to North China was exchanged at mid-teens PMT, below owners’ expectations around the low USD 20s. A 12,000 DWT vessel was reportedly fixed on a single TCT from Korea to Haiphong/Philippines at around mid USD 6,000 daily, delivery Qingdao. In the Indian region, scrap shipments from Asia to Chittagong remained active with freight ideas around the high USD 20s PMT, while bentonite and bagged sugar on the India–Southeast Asia route were traded around the low USD 20s PMT.
Handysize
The Handysize market closed the week on a firmer note, with the BHSI settling at 827 and the 7TC average rising by USD 145 to USD 14,893 per day. In Europe, trading activity remained steady as fresh cargo demand provided moderate upward pressure on freight levels. Meanwhile, the South Atlantic and U.S. Gulf markets softened slightly, with rates slipping below previously recorded levels. In contrast, the Asian market showed stronger momentum, driven by new cargo inquiries and a tightening list of available tonnage, prompting charterers to submit higher offers. Across the Continent and Mediterranean, activity remained relatively stable with consistent demand offering some support to freight levels. A 28,000 DWT vessel located in Taiwan was reportedly chartered for a short round voyage at approximately USD 8,000 per day.
Supramax
The Atlantic Supramax/Ultramax market turned firmer overall, supported by fresh cargo from the Continent and South America. Ultramax vessels were discussed around USD 17,500 per day for scrap shipments into the Mediterranean. Trans-Atlantic demand also remained active, with a 63,000 DWT Ultramax open Iskenderun fixed at USD 14,500 per day for loading clinker via Port Said, Egypt, with redelivery Conakry, Guinea. A 58,000 DWT vessel open Dakar was reportedly fixed at USD 20,000 per day for a trip via West Africa to India.
The Pacific market experienced a sharp surge with significant rate increases across key loading areas. West Australia remained active with several fresh iron ore stems entering the market, although the influx of tonnage from the East Coast India region suggested the market could be nearing a short-term peak. Fixtures included PAC Ankaa (63,145 DWT, built 2021), open Sungai Pakning 8 March, reportedly placed on subjects for a trip via Australia to Southeast Asia at USD 19,000 per day. Meanwhile, Wadi Feran (57,282 DWT, built 2011) delivery Kohsichang prompt was fixed at USD 12,500 per day for a trip via Indonesia with redelivery China.The North Pacific witnessed short-term firming supported by both NoPac spot trips and backhaul demand. Ultramax vessels were reported around USD 19,000 per day passing Busan for NoPac trips, while backhaul steel cargoes were covered around USD 16,000 per day for redelivery Mediterranean on units such as CBL Spring (53,390 DWT, built 2009).
In the Indian Ocean, geopolitical tensions around the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz disrupted normal trading patterns. Several vessels loading in the Persian Gulf were forced to remain waiting due to uncertainty over safe passage through Hormuz. MV Xing He (55,000 DWT) was reportedly fixed around USD 10,000 per day for a trip via Mina Saqr to the Southeast Asia–China range. Meanwhile, some Supramax vessels in West Coast India were left idle or ballasting toward Singapore. One 53,000 DWT unit was heard fixed at USD 6,500 per day for a trip via Kandla to China. On the East Coast India, the market showed modest improvement as the stronger Southeast Asian market provided some support, with Ultramax vessels reportedly achieving around USD 13,000 per day or about USD 18,000 per day passing Singapore for trips to China.
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