Weekly Bulk Report – Week 12, 2020

By
Mfame Team
-
1385

The Baltic Briefing has released a report about the dry bulk market of the 11th week of shipping activities of this year. The report dated 20th March highlights the plight of the dry bulk market at the on-sight of the 12th week.

Capesize

  • The Capesize market made some headway this past week despite being buffeted by the global pandemic storm.
  • With the market in a constant state of flux on a seemingly endless news cycle, increasing restrictions and disruptions, the Cape 5TC managed a lift out of its recent range to settle the week at $4,067, a lift of +$1,270 for the week.
  • The Atlantic Basin was the bigger mover this week, albeit with fewer fixtures, as large declines in the bunker prices lifted time charter rates in relation to the marked voyage rates.
  • Declines were felt later in the week with Brazil to Qingdao C3 dropping from $10.535, to end the week at $9.970.
  • West Australia to China C5 saw a constant flow throughout the week with rates fluctuating to close out at $4.305.
  • Overall, sentiment seems improved, yet it’s expected there will be plenty more turmoil to endure as talk of quarantines increasing, credit lines tightening and port closures being mentioned, while governments react with stimulus injections and broader closures.
  • This is all churning up a strange dynamic the likes of which have never been experienced.

Panamax

  • A thin week of trading in the Panamax market, with distractions elsewhere focussing most people’s attention.
  • With mid-week news breaking of port suspensions in a region of Argentina, nervousness beset the East Coast South America market, where lower fixtures than last done drove the index down.
  • Weaker bunker prices further accentuated matters, and there became an apparent appetite for many owners to lock in for longer duration business given the increasingly bleak macro-outlook.
  • Rates for fronthaul trips generally hovered around the high $8,000’s to $9,000 mark for nicer described unit’s delivery Southeast Asia and India positions, whilst earlier tonnage was able to achieve closer to $13,000 plus $300,000 ballast bonus delivery Arrival Pilot Station (APS).
  • Very few rumors from Asia, an 81,000dwt ship delivery North China fixing $6,500 for a trip to Japan with minerals, whilst an 82,000dwt ship agreed $4,250 for a coal trip via Indonesia redelivery South China.

Supramax/Ultramax

  • A volatile week with the spread of Covid-19. For many countries in Europe and elsewhere, the market remained erratic.
  • The period activity was seen, with an Ultramax open North China, fixing five to eight months trading at $11,000.
  • In the Atlantic, uncertainty remained about port activities in East Coast South America, brokers said rates suffered from a lack of fresh enquiry.
  • Limited fresh information surfaced elsewhere, but some said that tonnage remained tight from the US Gulf.
  • An Ultramax was rumored fixed at around $20,000 for a trip to the East Mediterranean with petcoke.
  • As the week progressed, the Asian Basin came under pressure, with rates slipping.
  • A 56,000dwt ship fixing a trip from China to the Arabian Gulf in the low $3,000s.
  • The Indian Ocean, whilst remaining active, some felt rates were also under pressure.
  • A 60,900dwt ship fixing delivery Richards Bay trip to Vietnam at $12,000 plus $200,000 ballast bonus.

Handysize

  • The Baltic Handysize Index (BHSI) had an overall positive week, with support coming from both basins.
  • Rates in the Continent to Mediterranean trade broadly remained firm, with some high-level fixtures reported for trips with short duration.
  • However, the fresh orders from the area were described to be limited, with vessels building up for slightly more forward dates.
  • A 35,000dwt ship, open Ghent, was fixed for a trip to North Brazil at $10,000 for moving fertilizers.
  • Minimal changes in East Coast South America this week, whilst in the US Gulf, brokers saw a tight tonnage list, with rates continuously improving.
  • In the East, short period fixtures were reported with a 34,000dwt ship, delivery Vietnam, fixed for three to five months at $5,000 for the first 45 days, and $7,000 thereafter.
  • From the Indian Ocean, a 36,000dwt ship open Mesaieed was booked for a trip to West Coast India at $7,000.

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Source: BalticBriefing