A weekly round-up of tanker and dry bulk market (July 26, 2024)

This report is produced by the Baltic Exchange.

The Baltic Exchange, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore Exchange, is the world's only independent source of maritime market information for the trading and settlement of physical and derivative contracts.

Its international community of over 650 members encompasses the majority of world shipping interests and commits to a code of business conduct overseen by the Baltic.

For daily freight market reports and assessments, please visit www.balticexchange.com.

Capesize

The Capesize market experienced a steady decline this week, with the BCI 5TC falling from US$24,521 on Monday to US$21,676 by Friday. The Atlantic saw significant fixing activity, particularly from South Brazil to China, but an oversupply of tonnage in ballast and weakening demand led to a softening trend. The C3 index dropped from US$25.97 on Monday to US$24.69 by Friday. There were some signs of potential improvement in the North Atlantic with new cargoes being noted, but the overall sentiment remained bearish. In the Pacific, despite disruptions from Typhoon Gaemi, the market remained relatively active, with the C5 index slightly increasing to US$9.54 on Thursday from a low on Wednesday of US$9.37 due to increased operator activity and involvement from the major miners. However, as the week draws to an end there has been a notable slowdown in activity.

Panamax

This week, the Panamax market experienced mixed activity levels with a general sense of cautious optimism. The Panamax timecharter average fluctuated, ending with a modest weekly gain of US$698, closing at US$16,125.

In the Atlantic, the market showed strength, particularly in the North Atlantic, with a shortening tonnage list and increased cargo levels. ECSA saw more fixtures as the week progressed at better than last done levels, with a 82,700 dwt fixed delivery Singapore at US$17,750. Asia saw a more nuanced performance, influenced significantly by Typhoon Gaemi, which caused port closures and disrupted schedules. Despite these challenges, there was a healthy fixing volume and some optimism from the south, with possible weakness for NoPac. A 74,900 dwt vessel fixed for East Australia redelivery Japan at US$13,250.

Period fixtures reflected ongoing demand. The Belmonte (81,344 dwt / 2014) fixed for two years at US$17,000 with scrubber benefit for charterers and the Argeus (82,226 dwt / 2013) fixed for 4-6 months at around US$17,250.

Ultramax/Supramax

What can only be described as a ‘positional week’ overall for the sector. From the Atlantic, it was a rather mixed affair with rates from the US Gulf spiking a little only to fall back as the week closed. A 63,000-dwt fixing a petcoke run from the US Gulf to India at around US$30,000. The Continent-Mediterranean remained rather subdued as the holiday season continued. A 63,000-dwt fixed a scrap run from the Continent to Turkey at just under US$15,000. The South Atlantic remained finely balanced with tonnage supply keeping pace with demand, with a 56,000-dwt fixing from EC South America to the Indian Ocean in the US$15,000s plus in the US$500,000s ballast bonus. From Asia, another mixed affair that was not helped by bad weather in the north. A 58,000-dwt fixing delivery China trip to the US Gulf at around US$10,000. The Indonesia coal sector saw limited activity, although a 61,000-dwt fixed delivery Philippines trip via Indonesia redelivery China at US$19,000. Period activity remained, with a 63,000-dwt open India fixing a balance of period minimum December 2024 to maximum mid-February 2025 in the US$17,000-US$18,000 region.

Handysize

Generally a steady week as the market remained fairly balanced. Across the Continent and Mediterranean, not much activity other than a few forward bookings. A 32,000-dwt was heard fixed basis delivery passing Skaw for grains run via the Baltic redelivery West Africa at US$11,000. Upward pressure across the South Atlantic as better levels of fresh enquiry were seen. A 40,000-dwt open Up River was fixed for a trip to the Mediterranean at US$22,750. The US Gulf region kept the positive momentum with further gains on the rates, with a 34,000-dwt open Caribbean heard to have been fixed for a trip from Jamaica to Iceland in the US$17,000s. Improving levels of enquiry across Australia and Indonesia led to positive sentiment across Asia but fresh fixing information remained limited. A 36,000-dwt open Paradip was heard fixed for EC India coastal to WC India at US$14,000. Period cover was actively sort in both basins. A 32,000-dwt open Jakarta fixing 5/7 months trading redelivery worldwide at US$14,000. Whilst in the Atlantic, a 38,000-dwt open Morocco fixed a short period at US$15,000.

Clean

LR2

LR’s in the MEG remained in the doldrums this week. The 75Kt MEG/Japan TC1 index dropped another 11.94 points to WS148.06. Correspondingly, a 90kt MEG/UK-Continent TC20 trip is currently assessed at US$4.66m, down from US$5.13m.

West of Suez, Mediterranean/ LR2’s on TC15 plateaued at about US$4.2m where the index has been all week.

LR1

In the MEG, LR1’s have been cut down again this week. The 55kt MEG/Japan index of TC5 dropped 20.63 points to WS156.25. Likewise on the 65kt MEG/UK-Continent of TC8 lost nearly 20% of its value to US$3.84m.

On the UK-Continent, the 60Kt ARA/West Africa TC16 index continued to quietly tick upwards and is currently marked at WS149.17.

MR

MR’s in the MEG were subject to downward pressure early in the week but appear to have reached a floor. The 35kt MEG/East Africa TC17 index went from WS231.43 to WS200 mid-week where it currently rests.

UK-Continent MR’s saw just enough activity to keep them from dropping dramatically this week. The 37kt ARA/US-Atlantic coast of TC2 bottomed out at WS192.81 down from WS205 but has since returned to WS199.38. TC19 (37kt ARA/West Africa) continued to follow TC2 and is currently marked at WS218.13 after flooring out at WS213.75.

The USG MR’s continued to display their peaks and troughs this week. Within the week TC14 (38kt US-Gulf/UK-Continent) went from WS170 to WS181.43 and back down to its current level of WS167.14. The 38kt US-Gulf/Brazil of TC18 followed suit but not to the same magnitude, with it currently sitting at WS242.86. A 38kt US-Gulf/Caribbean TC21 trip topped out at US$837,000, up from US$792,000 and not lies at US$750,000.

Handymax

In the Mediterranean, Handymax’s shuffled around a bit with the TC6 30kt Cross-Med hitting WS220 mid-week from WS205 and is now WS215. Up in northwest Europe, the TC23 30kt Cross UK-Continent continued upwards from WS191.39 to WS207.5

VLCC

The VLCC market improved this week across all regions. The 270,000 mt Middle East Gulf to China trip rose six points to WS58.8, corresponding to a daily round-trip TCE of US$36,358 basis the Baltic Exchange’s vessel description.

In the Atlantic market, the rate for 260,000 mt West Africa/China climbed 4.5 points to WS59.83 (which shows a round voyage TCE of US$37,885/day), whilst the rate for 270,000 mt US Gulf/China was pushed up US$222,500 to US$7,460,000 (US$33,789/day round trip TCE).

Suezmax

Suezmaxes in West Africa softened again this week, with the rate for 130,000 mt Nigeria/UK Continent dropping seven points to WS87.47 (a daily round-trip TCE of US$30,255/day). In the Mediterranean and Black Sea region, the 135,000 mt CPC/Med route eased by three points to WS101.55 (showing a daily TCE US$33,687/day round-trip). In the Middle East, the rate for 140,000 mt Middle East Gulf to the Mediterranean (via the Suez Canal) slipped 2.5 points to WS85.61.

Aframax

In the North Sea, the rate for the 80,000mt Cross-UK Continent held at WS120 (translating to a daily round-trip TCE of about US$24,200/day basis Hound Point to Wilhelmshaven).

In the Mediterranean market, the rate for 80,000mt Cross-Mediterranean slackened by 2.5 points to WS128.11 (basis Ceyhan to Lavera that shows a daily round trip TCE of about US$28,500/day).

Across the Atlantic, the market is tumbling. For the 70,000mt East Coast Mexico/US Gulf (TD26) the rate dropped 34 points to WS201.25 (a daily TCE of close to US$54,500/day round trip) while the rate for 70,000mt Covenas/US Gulf (TD9) slumped by 35 points to WS190 (a round-trip TCE of US$45,500/day). The rate for the trans-Atlantic route of 70,000mt US Gulf/UK Continent (TD25) lost 18 points to just below WS160 (a round trip TCE basis Houston/Rotterdam of about US$35,500/day).

LNG

There was a little uptick in activity this week, especially in the Atlantic but that did not translate into higher rates for all the routes. There were a few ships that were on subjects released, which meant position lists were longer than anticipated and potential gains were not yet realised. In the Pacific, a few fixtures did drive rates positively but not in any great surge, which is to be expected during the summer months.

On BLNG1 Aus-Japan, the 160cbm gained US$4,700 to a close of US$61,000 while the 174cbm did a little worse gaining only US$3,600 to a close of US$73,800. For BLNG2 Houston-Cont the 160cbm saw a small loss with a close of US$58,300, down US$2,600 while the 174cbm finished down US$4,400 and a close of US$74,400. BLNG3 Houston-Japan saw little enquiry over the week and rates reflected this with a close of US$73,400 on the 160cbm while the 174cbm finished at US$88,400 a loss of US$3,200 and US$4,600, respectively.

Period conversations are ongoing, but the rates remained steady. Our six-month assessment lost US$1,100 to US$101,900 while the one-year terms fell to US$83,333. For three years we saw an uptick of US$200 but a steady rate overall and a close of US$84,200.

LPG

With another quiet week for LPG across the board, there has not been much in a driving force for rates, summer doldrums have kept levels flat, and brokers are not reporting much fixing, let alone enquiry at the moment. The new acceptances expected at the beginning of the week did not do much to bolster the rates and as such we look forward to another weekend.

Out in the MEG there was a marginal rise with BLPG1 Ras Tanura-Chiba rising by US$0.417 cents to US$52.917, which brought TCE earnings up to US$31,903. While BLPG2 Houston-Flushing kept soft losing US$0.525 cents to a close of US$49.375 and a daily TCE earning of US$42,961. While BLPG3 Houston-Chiba saw the largest movement, if negative, of the week, losing US$0.904 cents to a close of US$90.667 and a daily TCE earning of US$28,057.

Disclaimer:

While reasonable care has been taken by the Baltic Exchange Information Services Limited (BEISL) and The Baltic Exchange (Asia) Pte. Ltd. (BEA, and together with BEISL being Baltic) in providing this information, all such information is for general use, provided without warranty or representation, is not designed to be used for or relied upon for any specific purpose, and does not infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of any third party including intellectual property. The Baltic will not accept any liability for any loss incurred in any way whatsoever by any person who seeks to rely on the information contained herein.

All intellectual property and related rights in this information are owned by the Baltic. Any form of copying, distribution, extraction or re-utilisation of this information by any means, whether electronic or otherwise, is expressly prohibited. Persons wishing to do so must first obtain a licence to do so from the Baltic.