The tanker market saw mixed performance, with LR2, Suezmax, and VLCC rates rising due to increased demand. However, MR and Aframax segments faced pressure, particularly in the Atlantic. Mediterranean and North Sea routes showed moderate fluctuations across all sectors, reports Baltic Exchange.
LR2
LR’s in the MEG showed the optimistic beginnings of freight improvement this week after a somewhat lengthy lull. TC1 added 10.84 to its value points leaving the index currently at WS140.28 with the Baltic TCE for the run crept up to a few hundred dollars shy of $30,000/day. For a trip west on a TC20 we have seen the index rise 5% or $181,684 to the $4.48m level. West of Suez, Mediterranean/East LR2’s on TC15 ticked back up over the $3m mark this week to $3.01m. The Baltic TCE for the run is still under $10,000/day (currently $8,063/day) but market improvement will definitely draw some optimism.
LR1
In the MEG, LR1’s also added some value this week albeit a little more modestly. On a TC5 run 55,000 CPP AG/Japan the index rose 6.87 points to WS162.5. For a voyage west on TC8, there has also been a hop up to the tune of $125,450 to take the route to $3.8m. On the UK- Continent, the TC16 index held resolute to continue along at the WS115 mark all week.
MR
MEG MR’s have taken a recorrect down early on this this week. The TC17 index dipped 19.29 points to WS210 on Tuesday where it has remained stable for the moment.
UK-Continent MR’s looked took some downward pressure this week. TC2 has shed 10.89 points to WS123.29 and TC19 similarly lost 11.88 points to WS143.18.
Some ups and downs on USG MR rates this week albeit of small magnitude from what the market is capable of. TC14 ultimately climbed 5.72 points to WS136.43 compared to this time last week via a peak WS143.21 in the middle of the week. TC18 mirrored this behaviour and is currently pegged at WS190.36 (up WS6.79) but topped out at WS193.57 mid-week. For a run down to the Caribbean on TC21, we saw the index reach a ceiling if $620,714 and is currently assessed at $600,000, up $17,857 from last week. The MR Atlantic Triangulation Basket TCE lost $237 to $23,133.
Handymax
In the Mediterranean, Handymax’s were relatively muted this week and ticked up 4.02 points to WS132.91. Up on the UK-Continent, the TC23 hovered around the high WS160’s – low WS170’s all week.
VLCC
The VLCC market has continued to firm with overall gains made in all sectors, although again this week not so much in the Atlantic. The 270,000 mt Middle East Gulf to China trip rose another 5.5 points week-on-week to WS60.05, which gives a daily round-trip TCE of $39,068 basis the Baltic Exchange’s vessel description.
In the Atlantic market, the rate for 260,000 mt West Africa/China climbed 3.5 points to WS61.83 (corresponding to a round voyage TCE of $41,457/day), whilst the rate for 270,000 mt US Gulf/China bounced around the $7,500,000 mark, printing on Thursday at 7,512,500 ($35,467/day round trip TCE).
Suezmax
Suezmax rates have not shrunk back, and in some areas, owners have managed to force rates upwards. In West Africa, the 130,000 mt Nigeria/UK Continent voyage recovered a singular point to WS79.64 (a daily round-trip TCE of $27,540). The TD27 route (Guyana to UK Continent basis 130,000mt) was assessed on Thursday at WS78.5, which is also up a point, translating into a daily round trip TCE of $26,537 basis discharge in Rotterdam.
In the Mediterranean and Black Sea region the rate for 135,000 mt CPC/Med finally rose, improving by 11.5 points week-on-week to WS91.45 (showing a daily TCE of $27,979 round-trip. In the Middle East, the rate for 140,000 mt Middle East Gulf to the Mediterranean (via the Suez Canal) gained a point to around the WS95/96 level
Aframax
In the North Sea, the rate for the 80,000mt Cross-UK Continent remained at WS115 (translating to a daily round-trip TCE of $21,507, which is about $1,000/day more than a week ago, basis Hound Point to Wilhelmshaven).
In the Mediterranean market the rate for 80,000mt Cross-Mediterranean slipped two points to WS117.5 (basis Ceyhan to Lavera, that shows a daily round trip TCE of $24,398).
Across the Atlantic, the market has again softened further with the 70,000mt East Coast Mexico/US Gulf (TD26) route and the 70,000mt Covenas/US Gulf (TD9) route each losing six points over the week to around the WS91/91.5 level (a round-trip TCE of a little over $9,000/day for either voyage). The rate for the trans-Atlantic route of 70,000mt US Gulf/UK Continent (TD25) lost 15 points to WS101.67 (a round trip TCE basis Houston/Rotterdam of $17,005/day).
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Source: Baltic Exchange
