SMALL HANDY
The past week has seen notable activity in the small tonnage sector following a prolonged holiday period. Vessels ranging from 5,500 DWT to 14,000 DWT were chartered at rates between USD 4,000 and USD 5,500 for trips within Southeast Asia. Market dynamics have shifted, with a significant increase in cargo orders and a wider variety of commodities being traded. Unlike the previous week where bagged rice dominated trade, owners are now showing interest in fertilizer shipments. Many small tonnage vessels are opting for routes towards North China, where favorable trading opportunities are more likely to be found for owners’ future plans.
HANDYSIZE
In the handy segment, additional pressure has been exerted on owners in the Mediterranean and the Continent due to limited cargo availability. Anticipation of upcoming holidays further exacerbated the situation, with expectations of further reductions in activity. Softening levels were observed in the South Atlantic, where a lack of fresh inquiry contributed to a growing tonnage list. Similarly, the US Gulf and US East Coast witnessed a decline in activity, with levels slipping further. Market reports suggest that the Kamenari (32,326 DWT, 2010) open in Annaba was rumored to have been chartered for a trip from Canakkale via the Black Sea to Rosyth with a grain cargo, though detailed confirmation is awaited. Despite ongoing positivity across Asia, visible activity slowed last week. Although a healthy cargo book exists across all loading regions, optimism is expected to persist into the next week. Rumors circulated of a 37,000 DWT vessel fetching over $14,000 for a trip from Singapore via Australia to China.
SUPRAMAX
The Supramax segment remained positive last week following the long holiday period in China. In the Atlantic, the MV Star Wave (61,491 DWT, 2017) was reportedly fixed at $15,000 for a scrap run to the East Mediterranean, based on delivery in the North Continent. In Asia, the MV Molyvos Luck (57,924 DWT, 2014) open in Kwangyang was heard to be fixed for a trip via NoPac with redelivery in the Philippines at $15,100. The MV Yuanning Sea (55,580 DWT, 2004) open in North China was chartered for a trip via the Philippines to China with nickel ore cargo at close to $16,000. Additionally, the MV EM Ruby (54,768 DWT, 2009) opening in Yangjiang was rumored to have been chartered for a trip via the Philippines to South China with nickel ore cargo at $19,500.
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by ASCENT BULK
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