The Baltic Exchange has released a report about the dry bulk market for the 18th week of shipping activities of this year. The report dated May 7th highlights the dry bulk market conditions at the on-sight of the 18th week.
Capesize
The Capesize market has been trading strongly at lofty levels this past week. The 5TC opened the week at $40,608, peaked at $44,817 mid-week before finally retracing to take a breather at $41,514. The market has been hiking higher since the beginning of April to reach levels not seen in the past decade. While the drawback late in the week was significant, the market remains poised and primed for further healthy trading levels. As usual, the Pacific basin was the busier region for vessels with strong cargo flow coming from the major charterers. With iron ore prices touching $200 pmt yesterday, the cost of shipping a 170,000mt 10% cargo on West Australia to Qingdao C5 route closed the week at $14.427. Further west in the Atlantic Basin, cargo volumes are heard to be sparse. However, the Transatlantic C8 still commands a solid $41,325 as the vessel to cargo ratio remains precarious and prone to imbalances. The Capesize market has finally taken a break from its stellar run, reminiscent of older times. There are surely more twists and turns in this wild ride to be seen. But as other markets continue to push higher, there may be a good case to say the upward trajectory may soon return.
Panamax
The Panamax market remained fundamentally firm all week, this is despite various global holidays and significant corrections in the FFA market. Midweek saw a splurge of period fixing as both physical fundamentals and FFA’s aligned with 2 x 82,000-dwt delivery Asia both achieving $22,000 and $21,000 for one year’s period. The Atlantic was largely fronthaul led, with limited trans-Atlantic activity. An 82,000-dwt ex Gibraltar achieving $36,500 for a trip via NC South America redelivery the Far East, but rates generally improved daily as ballaster numbers decreased and tonnage count dwindled. Asia was buoyed by an active Indonesia mineral drive. The short rounds to China began the week at around the $29,000 mark but had pushed on to $32,500 by the end of the week. Activity ex NoPac was, by and large, moderate overall. However, decent specification grain clean tonnage was able to achieve over $30,000 for NoPac grain trips from a Japan delivery point.
Ultramax/Supramax
With many countries enjoying a long weekend, the week started on a quiet note as people returned. The Asian arena picked up a pace and saw positive movement on all Asian routes. The Atlantic was a mixed bag, with areas such as the US Gulf seeing little fresh inquiry. Further south from east coast South America some saw a more positive movement. The period activity was muted, but a 54,000-dwt open Indian Ocean was heard fixed for three to five months trading at $20,750. From the Atlantic, a 63,000-dwt open mid-May was fixed for a trip to Peru at $28,000. From the east Mediterranean, a 52,000-dwt was fixed for a trip to the Far East at $26,000. In Asia, more activity from the north Pacific saw a 63,000-dwt open south China fixing a round voyage at $30,000, whilst a 60,000-dwt open CJK fixed an Australian round voyage at $30,000.
Handysize
A positive week for the BHSI, despite holidays in both European and Asian markets. The period market remained buoyant with a 37,000-dwt was fixed for 12 months period basis delivery South Korea and redelivery worldwide at $19,000. For a shorter period, a 38,000-dwt newbuilding log-fitted vessel fixed delivery Dop Ex yard in Japan for four to six-month redelivery worldwide at $29,000. The Atlantic, East Coast South America saw more activity this week. A 35,000-dwt being fixed for a trip from Dakar via North Brazil to the Black Sea at $16,000 DOP. In Asia, a 37,000-dwt was fixed for a trip from China via Western Australia with Salt back to China at $25,000. Also, a 37,000-dwt open Japan fixed a trip to West Coast South America with Fertilizer at $26,500.
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Source: Baltic Exchange
