Maritime market data analyst The Baltic Exchange has issued its weekly reports for 2-6 March, to provide information of the bulk and dry market performance. The information is used by shipbrokers, owners & operators, traders, financiers and charterers as a reliable and independent view of the dry and tanker markets.
Some highlights from Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk and tanker reports for 2-6 March can be found as follows:
Tankers – VLCC
- The Middle East market remained static, with rates for 270,000mt to China holding at WS 49. 280,000mt to the US Gulf, via Cape-to-Cape routing, remained at WS 30.
- The market for 270,000mt US Gulf to China hovered again around the $6.5m level.
Tankers – Suezmax
- In the Middle East, the 140,000mt Basrah to Mediterranean route saw a win of five points to mid-30s.
- Rates for 135,000mt Black Sea to the Mediterranean have increased at WS 85.
Tankers – Aframax
- Northern Europe saw a decrease, losing seven points to low-mid WS 90s.
- On the Atlantic, 70,000mt, Caribbean to the US Gulf, owners managed to claw back 7.5 to 8 points to WS 154 level.
Tankers – Clean
- The rates in the Middle East Gulf to Japan experienced a slow start, with the trade for 75,000mt ease modestly, followed by an unexpected turn around in the middle of the week, when the rates spiked over 23 points.
- The Mediterranean market was steady at around WS 175.
Bulk carriers – Capesize
- Bunker prices continued to soften, leading to new lows on voyage rates.
- The West Australia to China C5 was stable this week, with most majors taking tonnage: closing out the week down -.264, to settle at $4.936.
Bulk carriers – Panamax
- South American business was ably served by ballasters who were willing to operate on cheaper numbers.
- South America activity dipped briefly, but steady cargo flow for March and April saw rates steady.
Bulk carriers – Supramax/Ultramax
- It was a steady week from the Indian Ocean, with a 55,000dwt ship fixing delivery South Africa trip, redelivery East Coast India, at $11,750 plus $175,000 ballast bonus.
- The Atlantic made gains, mostly from East Coast South America. Demand was seen for Supramax vessels to Algeria, with a 58,000dwt ship seeing $14,000s level for the Transatlantic runs.
Bulk carriers – Handysize
- Rates largely improved in the Atlantic Basin, with the US Gulf having a similarly positive trend maintained, with a number of short period inquires discussed.
- Mid-sized Handysize vessels were fixed from Santos to Morocco, at a rate in the mid $9,000s.
- In the Pacific, Australia coastal trips were reported on a 28,000dwt vessel, fixing at $5,300 along the West Coast, basis Cigarding delivery.
The full reports are available on Baltic Exchange’s website, under related category. Namely, the Baltic Exchange information is based on assessments made by a global panel of shipbrokers, covering voyage and timecharter rates for capesize, panamax, supramax and handysize bulk carriers; VLCC, aframax & MR tankers, LPG and LNG vessels as well as forward assessments, vessel values, market reports & fixtures and demolition values.
See the previous weeks’ reports:
- Baltic Exchange: Maritime market highlights 24-28 Feb
- Baltic Exchange: Maritime market highlights 17-21 Feb
