A weekly round-up of tanker and dry bulk market (April 19, 2024)

This report is produced by the Baltic Exchange.

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Capesize

The Capesize market witnessed an eventful and generally positive week. Early in the week, a subdued start led to cautious attitudes among market participants, with slight declines in the BCI 5TC and C3 index. However, a notable turnaround occurred midweek, as sentiment improved markedly, particularly in the Pacific market. Increased coal demand from East Australia to China and weather conditions impacting operations in China drove a surge in rates. Throughout the week, all three major miners remained active in the Pacific, contributing to upward pressure on rates for both the BCI 5TC and C5 index. Stronger fixtures were reported, with rates reaching as high as US$12.10 for C5, a US$1.50 increase on the week. Activity in the South Atlantic, particularly from Brazil and West Africa to the Far East, also contributed to the positive momentum, with rates climbing steadily. With a slight tightening of the tonnage list in the Pacific towards the end of the week, sentiment remained buoyant, supported by ongoing demand and firm rates. By the end of the week, the BCI 5TC settled at US$23,543, marking a significant improvement from the week's start.

Panamax

Most of the excitement emanated from the Atlantic again last week. The continued lack of early tonnage in the North had a profound effect on rates, with sound trans Atlantic demand rates lurched forwards with mention of various voyage cargoes fixed at above index timecharter equivalents. US$30,000 was rumored fixed for a US East coast to China on 82,000-dwt type delivery this side the headline rate with fronthaul trades from the North Atlantic also increasing, adding further fuel to the fire. The Pacific market rose steadily throughout the week buoyed by the firm sentiment seeping in from Atlantic market. Several vessels fixed for EC South America rounds, again at a premium to Pacific rounds which hovered around the US$15,000 mark. Several period fixtures were reported due to an improving outlook and steady increasing paper values, a shade over US$20,000 perhaps the highlight for a nicely described 82,000-dwt delivery China for 6 to 8 months trading.

Ultramax/Supramax

A positive week for the sector with stronger rates being achieved in most areas. The Atlantic saw sustained interest from the US Gulf and healthy demand from the Continent and Mediterranean, whilst the South Atlantic saw reasonable levels of fresh enquiry. A steady supply of Indonesian coal demand helped maintain rates from South Asia, whilst further north brokers spoke of a healthy volume of NoPac and backhaul business. Period cover was short, a 63,000-dwt open North China fixing a short period at US$19,250, whilst a 57,000-dwt also open North China fixed 12 months trading at US$16,500. In the Atlantic, a 63,000-dwt was heard fixed for a trip from US Gulf to Japan with wood pellets at US$26,000. From the Mediterranean, a 53,000-dwt fixed delivery Egypt trip to West Africa at US$14,000. In Asia, a 56,000-dwt fixed from SE Asia via Indonesia redelivery South Korea in the low-mid US$17,000s. For backhaul enquiry, a 56,000-dwt was heard fixed delivery South China for a trip to West Africa at US$12,500 and then a split rate of US$15,500 after 65 days.

Handysize

Positivity returned to the Handysize sector as the week progressed. The US Gulf, saw a reduction in tonnage availability and a 39,000-dwt fixed from SW Pass to North Coast South America with a cargo of grains at a rate between US$10,000 and US$11,000. Also, a 35,000-dwt fixed from Columbia to the Caribbean with an intended cargo of coal at around US$11,000. In the South Atlantic, cargo availability increased, which combined with a reduction in draft in the River Plate added pressure to charterers. A 28,000-dwt was fixed from Recalada via Upriver to Poti with a cargo of grains at US$16,000. The Continent and Mediterranean were said to be lacking direction, however a 38,000-dwt who was said to be unable to carry dirty cargo and had limited employment opportunities fixed from Nador to the US Gulf with a cargo of barytes at US$11,000. Whilst information from Asia was limited, brokers spoke of more positivity as the cargo-to-tonnage balance changed in the owner's favor.

Clean

LR2

In the MEG this week LR2 freight received a welcome upturn in freight rates this week. The TC1 rate for 75kt MEG/Japan resurged 41 points to WS207 and the 90kt MEG/UK-Continent TC20 voyage similarly cranked up its value by US$1.28 million to US$6.38 million.

West of Suez, Mediterranean/East LR2’s saw another drop this week due to inactivity to US$3.46 million (-US$142,000).

LR1

In the MEG, LR’1 freight also turned back up this week. The 55kt MEG/Japan index of TC5 went from WS193 to WS231 taking the Baltic round trip TCE for the run back to just under US$40,000 per day. The 65kt MEG/UK-Continent of TC8 hopped up 16% to US$4.74 million.

On the UK-Continent, the 60kt ARA/West Africa dropped by 11 points this week to WS185.

MR

MR’s in the MEG also showed positive movement this week. The TC17 35kt MEG/East Africa index added 22 points to its value this week to settled at WS306.

On the UK-Continent MR’s took more downward pressure this week. The 37kt ARA/US-Atlantic coast of TC2 shed 10 points to WS174. The TC19 run (37kt ARA/West Africa) the index managed to hold on to its value only dropping by two points overall this week to WS208.

USG MR’s have taken a battering this week from a large oversupply of vessels. TC14 (38kt US-Gulf/UK-Continent) another 41 points down to WS149 with the TCE dropping 37% to US$13,900 per day round trip. The 38kt US Gulf/Brazil on TC18 went from WS276 to WS239 and the 38kt US-Gulf/Caribbean of TC21 dropped by 27% across the week to US$664,000.

Handymax

In the Mediterranean, 30kt Cross Mediterranean (TC6) shot up 114 points this week to WS305. This lifted the Baltic TCE for the Run by 114% to US$53,600 per day round trip.

Up in Northwest Europe, the TC23 30kt Cross UK-Continent improved for the second week on week to WS248 (+18).

VLCC

The market continued the downward trend this week. The rate for 270,000 mt Middle East Gulf to China repeated a weekly three point reduction and now sits at just below WS60 which corresponds to a daily round-trip TCE of about US$36,000 basis the Baltic Exchange’s vessel description.

In the Atlantic market, the 260,000 mt West Africa/China trip eased by about 1.5 points to WS62.89 which shows a round voyage TCE of around US$39,600 per day. The rate for 270,000 mt US Gulf/China is assessed US$100,000 lower at US$8,585,000 translating into a round-trip daily TCE of US$40,941.

Suezmax

The Suezmax market in West Africa took a tumble this week with the 130,000 mt Nigeria/UK Continent trip losing 18 points during the week to WS108.72 (a daily round-trip TCE of US$40,939). In the Mediterranean and Black Sea region the rate slipped seven points to WS115.10 for the 135,000 mt CPC/Mediterranean trip (showing a daily TCE of about US$42,225 round-trip). In the Middle East, the rate for 140,000 mt Middle East Gulf to the Mediterranean (via the Suez Canal) was assessed flat again at the WS96-97 level.

Aframax

In the North Sea, the rate for the 80,000 mt Cross-UK Continent gained a meagre two points to WS143.21 (a daily round-trip TCE of US$41,650 basis Hound Point to Wilhelmshaven).

In the Mediterranean market the rate for 80,000 mt Cross-Mediterranean was reduced by 16 points to end up at WS187.08 (basis Ceyhan to Lavera, that shows a daily round trip TCE of US$56,427).

Across the Atlantic, the Stateside market has been hammered back down, with the rate for 70,000 mt East Coast Mexico/US Gulf (TD26) being reduced by 49 points to WS187.19 (a daily TCE of US$45,907 round trip) and the rate for 70,000 mt Covenas/US Gulf (TD9) is now 44 points lower than a week ago at WS180.63 (a round-trip TCE of US$40,277 per day). The rate for the trans-Atlantic route of 70,000 mt US Gulf/UK Continent (TD25) lost 31 points week-on-week to rest at WS189.44 (a round trip TCE basis Houston/Rotterdam of US$44,321 per day).

LNG

This week has seen a potential turn in the short-term market, particularly in the Atlantic Basin. There has been an increased enquiry for liftings from the US Gulf, Algeria, and West Africa to indicate a possible rise in rates, though the Eastern market remains stagnant and risks losing its two-way economics. Despite this, the presence of numerous vessels in the West may temper rate increases in the near future.

Rate assessments on a weekly basis for Gladstone/Tokyo were about US$2,000 per day firmer for the 160kCBM vessel and US$400 per day firmer for the 174kCBM vessel at US$32,706 per day and US$47,675 per day, respectively. In the Atlantic the 160kCBM vessel lost around US$700 per day for the Corpus Christi/Isle of Grain route while the 174kCBM vessel gained about US$1,000 per day to be assessed at US$32,955 per day and US$45,752 per day. The BLNG3 (US Gulf-Japan) fared similarly, being assessed at US$38,996 per day (down US$450 on last week’s assessment) on the 160kCBM vessel and US$53,069 per day (a weekly gain of about US$1,500) on the 174kCBM vessel.

There is a positive sign with growing enquiries for longer term period chartering, some of which are securing fixtures at rates well above current spot assessments, with six-month rates assessed at US$64,000 against an average spot of under US$48,000 and the three-year rate at US$80,700.

In terms of vessel transactions, the market is witnessing a rise in potential sale and purchase activities, with several steam ships and TFDE vessels currently under consideration for sale. As more vessels are released from long-term charters, the availability of steam vessels is expected to increase further which could negatively impact rates should these come into the spot market.

LPG

Following a slow start to the week and with rates stable BLPG1 index rose incrementally to close at US$64.429 (an actual fall of US$0.65 on the week) after bottoming out at US$63 giving a daily TCE of US$43,216. The acceptances by Saudi Aramco being released on Tuesday helped stimulate some positive movement but with tonnage reported as plentiful it remains to be seen if that can be maintained.

The US market has mirrored the Middle East this week both BLPG2 and BLPG3 hitting a floor and improved later in the week. Houston-Flushing BLPG2 climbed to US$68.40 from US$67 after reaching amid week bottom of US$66. A daily TCE earning on a round voyage is currently at US$68,186. While Houston-Chiba gained US$1.429 giving a closing index value of US$124.286 and a daily TCE earning of US$49,297. Overall enquiry has picked up this week in the West however vessel supply looks to be keeping the market balanced for the moment.

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