The Baltic Briefing has issued the tanker report for the 32nd week of this year. The report dated 07th August 2020 provides a valuable insight into this week’s tanker market dealings, freight rates, and charter activities.
VLCC
Middle East
A quiet week in the Middle East resulted in little movement on the rates.
- 280,000mt Middle East Gulf to USG via the Cape/Cape routing still being assessed at the WS21 level and
- 270,000mt to China slipped a couple of points to W33/34 region.
Atlantic
- 260,000mt West Africa to China nudged down similarly to WS37.5.
- A more active USG export market saw four ships reported on subjects at levels between $5.35m and $5.3875m for the 270,000mt US Gulf to China trip, which is now assessed at $5.38-5.39m level.
- That’s modestly up about $60k from last week.
Suezmax
- Rates for 135,000mt Black Sea/Med managed to climb 7.5 points to WS62.5-63 region.
- 130,000mt West Africa/UKContinent gained a meagre 2 points to WS49-50 level.
- The 140,000mt Middle East Gulf to Med trade remained static at around WS23.
Aframax
Mediterranean market
In the Mediterranean market, owners came under pressure again and rates have eased about a point to WS57.5 for 80,000mt Ceyhan/Med.
Northern Europe
In Northern Europe, rates for the 80,000mt Cross-North Sea increased three points to about WS82.5.
Baltic/UKCont
100,000mt Baltic/UKCont saw a similarly positive effect close to WS57.5.
Across Atlantic
Across the Atlantic rates have marginally increased with the 70,000mt Carib/USGulf trade now at WS78, up a couple of points. 70,000mt USGulf/UKCont voyages are five points higher than a week ago at WS80.
Clean
Middle East Gulf
In the Middle East Gulf, rates for 75,000mt to Japan have been under pressure. After starting the week in the high WS50S, Clearlake were able to finally set the tone and fix BW tonnage at WS55. In the 55,000mt trade, rates were steady at WS60 level.
UKC to USAC trade
It was a disappointing week for owners plying the 37,000mt UKC to USAC trade with the market easing from WS102.5 a week ago to WS95.
This is last seen fixed here but brokers feel there is potential for further softening – and the market now is assessed in the low WS90s.
USG backhaul business
In the backhaul business from the US Gulf, charterers have generally held the upper hand and have been able to chip away at rates which have eased now from WS102.5 level a week ago to sit at close to WS 92.5.
Clean cross-Med trade
It was another uninspiring week for owners in the 30,000mt clean cross-Med trade with rates only able to nudge up at best five points to WS85 and there is still plenty of early tonnage available.
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Source: Baltic Briefing
