The Baltic Exchange, the world’s independent source of maritime market data, has issued its reports for the last week, 20-25 September 2020, 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.
Tankers -VLCC
- In the Middle East there has been more Contract of Affreightment nominations than fixing on spot market tonnage this week, which hasn’t had any real effect on the list of available vessels.
- Rates for 270,000mt to China slid about six points to settle just below WS29, while 280,000mt to USG via the Cape/Cape routing are assessed a point lower than a week ago at WS17.5.
- For voyages of 260,000mt West Africa to China the market eased four points to WS33. =
Tankers – Suezmax
- In West Africa we saw a few more ballasters from the East becoming serious players for cargoes from Nigeria-Angola range to Europe, which had a slightly detrimental effect on rates for voyages of 130,000mt Nigeria/UKC, weakening from about WS35 last Friday to WS32.5 now.
Tankers – Aframax
- The 80,000mt Ceyhan/Med market maintained the previous week’s level of WS57.5, while a similar sentiment was seen on the 80,000mt Cross-North Sea route where rates held at WS72.5-75 level.
- Across the Atlantic rates for 70,000mt Carib/US Gulf again remained static at WS55 and a similar story on 70,000mt USG/UKC where rates are stuck at WS50.
Tankers – Clean
- At the start of this week, the market for 37,000mt UKC/USAC stood in the low WS90s and there was even talk of a replacement cargo from Sines being covered at WS100.
- Trips to West Africa are paying little more than WS100. Owners’ cause is not helped by the very weak backhaul market where rates for 38,000mt from US Gulf to UK Continent have softened further to around WS57.5, with charterers looking to break this level now.
- For a trip to Brazil rates have seemingly settled at WS82.5.
Bulk carriers – Capesize
- Trade activity remains low but the basin is up and running now.
- The Brazilian trade activity was the driving force this week.
- Τhe Pacific basin C10 remains on par in value with the Atlantic C8 and Brazil to China C14.
Bulk – Panamax
- US Gulf to China grain demand fared well on the week with vessels being priced and fixed from as far afield as India and Singapore, with the better described units with Neo-Panama canal fittings commanding a premium from a DOP Far east delivery point.
- In Asia a two-tier market but overall a flat week, NoPac demand being the catalyst with the P3a route hovering flat at around $12,000 on the week for Kamsarmax units.
Bulk – Ultramax/Supramax
- East coast South America remained uneventful. A 63,000-dwt fixed for a trip to south east Asia at $14,500 plus $450,000 ballast bonus. From Asia, demand remained as the week closed.
- Further south Indonesian/India coal runs remained firm. A 58,000-dwt open Vietnam was fixed in the low $13,000s for a trip via Indonesia redelivery India.
- The Indian Ocean saw limited activity. A Supramax fixing from Saldanah Bay to the Far East at around $12,500 plus $250,000 ballast bonus.
Bulk – Handysize
- The Continent continued to be on the rise with strong numbers reported. Brokers saw limited spot Handysize vessels left in the region, whilst the difference between redelivery east coast South America and the US Gulf remained minimal.
- The US Gulf showed more signs of improvement with a trip from the Gulf to Skaw-Passero range now being marked at the same level as a trip from east coast South America to Skaw-Passero range.
- In the East, a 31,000-dwt was fixed from CJK for 2 laden legs at $8,000. A 36,000-dwt non-logger was fixed from Campha for a trip with limestone to south China at $7,250.
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 also:
- Baltic Exchange: Maritime market highlights 14-18 Sept
- Baltic Exchange: Maritime market highlights 7-11 Sept
