Thursday, 26 April 2012 |
The dry bulk market seems to be back on track, not only solidifying the gains of the past couple of weeks, but also racing to new heights, recuperrating the losses experienced since the start of the year, which saw the Baltic Dry Index (BDI), a benchmark used to track rates and market sentiment, retreat to near record lows. Yesterday, the BDI was once again up by 1.88% to 1,137 points, in essence erasing this year’s losses, fuelled by the surge in demand for Panamax vessels, as well as for Supramaxes. The Panamax Index was increased by 3.93% to reach 1,692 points, while the Supramax one was also up by 1.87% yesterday, to end the session to 1,087 points. By contrast, the larger in size Capesize-type vessel, was on the weak side for once more, losing an additional 0.46% on the day to reach 1,514 points.
In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Fearnleys noted that “the Panamax market took a good jump this week with rates firming up in both hemispheres. Rumours has it that India increasing coal imports with about 15 million mt and China increasing coal imports due to the biggest price gap in 20 years between domestic and foreign coal. There are increased coal shipments in both hemispheres and the grain season is still fairly active out of ECSA. Typical Tarvs with Continent delivery are now being fixed at around 17/18k. Fronthauls with same delivery are fetching low 20´s while the Pacific rounds are being fixed at low/mid teens. The period market is still somewhat active with takers there for short period around 12k and 1-year at around USD 11k” said Fearnleys.
In a separate note, Shiptrade Services said that “The week started with a positive sentiment in Atlantic with more cargoes firming up especially grains ex ECSA to Far East where rates were raised by around USD 3,000 compared to last week ending up at USD 21,000. Also the transatlantic was increased significantly closing the week at USD 13,500 making owners reluctant to leave the Atlantic basin. On the Pacific, market showed some more positive sentiment with trips ex NOPAC fixed at USD 10,000 while the round was at USD 11,250. The positive of the market in Atlantic led owners to pursue backhaul trips with levels of USD 12,000. Periods were done at above USD 11,000 and in some cases even more”.
Moving on to the Handy/Supra market, Fearnleys noted that “with more cargoes entering the market the numbers of idle ships was quickly reduced and rates peaked rapidly. Skaw-Passero deliveries concluded close to USD 5k for US Gulf direction, while US Gulf positions fixed around USD 19k for trips to Cont. Fronthauls were paid USD 16.5k-17k daily. The Pacific market remained steady with nickel ore and coal enquiries. Indo rounds now fixed at USD 18k basis Singapore delivery. Nickel ore rounds are also getting premium and have seen vessels fixed at USD 12k basis dely North China. WCI & ECI iron ore to China was quiet, however rates from WCI was around USD 12k and from ECI USD 8k. RBCT-India on voyage is around low 20s. Red Sea fertilisers to India fixed in high teens. Short period activity was limited and nothing much seen but ideas were around 12k” said the shipbroker.
Furthermore, commenting on the Capesize market, it mentioned that “the week has been very predictable. Out of West coast Australia, a couple of new cargoes every day fixed at last done levels around USD 7.70. Last done however is USD 7.60 - and one done at USD 8.00 pmt, but for early dates. Saldanha to China has been hovering around USD 14.50 and Tubarao/Qingdao still around the USD 21 mark. It has been done one fixture for 1-year this week at USD 12,000. Time being this is the rate owners are asking for short period, not in line with present FFA values, and consequently lack of period fixtures” concluded Fearnleys.
In its note Shiptrade stated that “In the Atlantic basin, the oversupply of tonnage in the area did not affect dramatically the rates with the fronthaul closing at USD 25,000 levels, been slightly decreased by USD 500. The transatlantic round trip closed last week at USD 3,750 levels, a down fall of USD 325. Same pattern applied at Tubarao/Qingdao route which was fixed at USD 21.25 for early May. In the Pacific market, Australia iron ore trade kept covering some, but not enough, of the large volume of tonnage resulting in slightly decreased rates fixed at USD 7,90 pmt than USD 8,00 last week. The Far East round trips decreased at USD 6,000 a USD 750 reduction from last week. Period activity remained at same levels than last week at USD 13,000 for one year” it concluded.
Source : Nikos Roussanoglou, Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide
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