A lack of demand for the larger Capesize dry bulk carriers had as a result the fall of the industry’s benchmark, the BDI (Baltic Dry Index), which yesterday ended down by 14 points or 1.21 percent at 1,146 points. The relative Capesize index was 3.77% lower to 1,428. As a result, average daily rates for Capesizes fell to $7,321. It’s worth noting that average Capesize rates have plunged by more than 70% since the beginning of the year. By contrast, the Panamax Index was up by 1.29% to 1,175 points. As a result, average daily earning for panamaxes were up by $112 to $9,364.

Commenting on the Capesize market in its latest weekly report, shipbroker Fearnleys said that “an active Pacific market with a good number of fixtures ex West Australia. However towards mid this week, demand was lower and fresh inquiries less spot, immediately resulting in freight rates dropping 0.5 cents. In Saldanha, there will be maintenance in August, and no new stems are expected before 24th of August. For the fronthaul, rates have been steady for the July stems fixed until now as supply of tonnage (early ballasters) was tight. As we are moving into August dates however, it is expected freight rates will soften’’ it noted.

On the Panamax market, Fearnleys noted that “it has been an uplifting, yet fairly quiet week in the Panamax segment with decent levels achieved. The firmer tendency is clear in the North Atlantic which is tight for tonnage for prompt requirements. Some owners are now asking USD 14k daily to perform TARV´s, whereas only a few weeks ago similar trips would fix around 10k daily. ECSA/Feast deals are still being done at healthy levels. Owners able to obtain around 15-16k + 500k gbb basis APS or around 10k daily basis delivery Singapore for ECSA/Feast grain biz. In the Pacific, business is also picking up and better rates are being reported above 9k for Indo and Nopac rounds. Aussie rounds have reportedly been fixed at around USD 8k daily. In the period market not many fixtures reported, but we see both charterers and owners talking around USD 9-10k daily for 3-5/4-6 months up to a year on LME´s. A Kamsarmax has fixed about 2 years at 10,700 delivery Black Sea ex yard mid-August said the report.

On the Supramax front, a recent report from Piraeus-based Shiptrade & Services mentioned that «having the US National Holiday last week, the market was steady slow. Trips from USG to Med/Continent were fixed at USD mid/high 20’s whilst fronthauls were fixed at USD 30,000. Trips from West Africa to Continent/Med were done at USD mid teens basis delivery West Africa and there were also some fixtures from Continent/Med to ECSA and USG at the area of USD 8,000. Fronthauls from Continent were seen closing at about USD 24,000.

The scene in the Pacific Basin relatively slow with most Indonesian and NOPAC rounds closing at USD 8,000 basis delivery China, and some closing at USD 9,000 basis delivery Japan. Indonesian coal trips to India were fixed at USD 8,000 whilst those from ECI to China were closed at USD 5,000 levels. As far as short period market is concerned fixtures were seen at the area of USD 10,500” it said.

Finally, on the Handy market front, Fearnleys concluded its analysis by stating that rates in the Atlantic kept more or less stable from last week, with Continent/US Gulf concluded at around USD 5000, while US Gulf/ Continent paid close to USD 27k. Ships with same delivery for Turkey got fixed at USD 28k with scrap. Fronthauls were hovering about USD 24k for Continent delivery, while rumors said vessels open US Gulf fetched USD 26k p/d. India is slow now with limited activity. Owners will see around mid USD 10k basis South China on a 52k dwt vessel for one trip to full India range. The Indian iron ore market remains quiet with less activity on WCI & ECI as monsoon arrives. India/China tct rate would be around USD 6k. Red Sea fertilizers to India are fixed high teens. Not much activity seen on short period and rates around USD 10k for large Supra it concluded.
Source: Nikos Roussanoglou, Hellenic Shipping News