A weekly round-up of tanker and dry bulk market (Sept 6, 2024)

This report is produced by the Baltic Exchange.

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Capesize

The Capesize market saw a strong start to the week, particularly in the Pacific, where two of the three major miners became active, leading to a steady rise in the C5 route. However, as the week progressed, Pacific activity began to slow, with the C5 index dipping midweek to US$11.135, having started the week at US$11.785. A slight recovery followed as Thursday saw increased cargo enquiry and improved rates, although concerns lingered over Typhoon Yagi as it approached Southern China. In the Atlantic, activity was more subdued on C3, with limited fixtures and initially a persistent gap between bids and offers, although as the week progressed the gap narrowed but there was no significant upward movement. Fronthaul routes out of the North Atlantic provided some support and the market maintained positive sentiment, particularly on the transatlantic route, although overall fixture volumes were low. Overall, the market showed resilience, ending the week on a stronger note, with the BCI 5TC closing at US$27,832, up from its opening level at the start of the week of US$26,935.

Panamax

Another softer week for the Panamax market as owners continued to feel the recent pressure, particularly in the Atlantic basin where owners’ resistance was hard to find with early tonnage and ballaster tonnage continuing to discount. The P1A route hovered in the US$8,000s all week, although this was being challenged with APS load port deals equating to a lot less by comparison. Activity ex EC South America was flat for index arrival dates, with earlier date arrivals heavily discounted by the armada of ballasters. Asia returned good demand overall, rates appeared to have found a floor mid-week with owner’s resistance appearing more substantiated. Rates of low US$14,000s were seen on NoPac trips on inferior to index types, whilst much of the Indonesia demand continued to be absorbed by smaller/older tonnage rates improved into five-figure levels. Period activity was minimal, although reports emerged of an 81,000-dwt delivery China achieving US$14,900 basis 5/7 months.

Ultramax/Supramax

A rather mixed affair for the sector as the summertime lull still impacted the Atlantic but a slightly more positive feel from the Asian arena. The North and South Atlantic suffered from a lack of fresh enquiry, putting downward pressure on an already subdued market. An Ultramax was heard fixed basis delivery EC South America for a fronthaul trip at US$16,000 plus US$600,000 ballast bonus. Elsewhere, a 56,000-dwt fixed delivery Mediterranean for a run to West Africa at around US$11,000.

Asia, on the other hand, seemed a bit more buoyant, although as the week ended some said prompt tonnage availability was increasing. A 58,000-dwt fixing delivery China for a trip to West Africa at US$14,500 for the first 60 days and US$16,000 thereafter. From the south, a 60,000-dwt fixed delivery Koh Sichang trip via Indonesia redelivery China at US$14,750. The Indian Ocean saw a little action, with a 60,600-dwt fixing delivery South Africa trip Pakistan at US$18,500 plus US$185,000 ballast bonus. The period market remained rather muted, with a 61,000-dwt open China fixing 12-14 months trading at US$15,500.

Handysize

The Handy sector saw minimal visible activity across both basins this week. In the Continent and Mediterranean, the tonnage list remains relatively long for September dates, while fresh demand appears quite thin. A 34,000-dwt fixed delivery Skaw trip with grain via Baltic to Luanda at US$12,500. In the South Atlantic, negative sentiment persisted throughout the week, with only a few new inquiries but no significant actions taken. Momentum in the US Gulf was also shifting slightly negative this week, with very few new enquiries and an increasing tonnage list. A 38,000-dwt open San Pedro De Macoris prompt fixed for Barranquilla to Poland with coal at around US$17,500. Little new information emerged from the Asian market, although some sources noted an increase in available tonnage, anticipating further market softening.

Clean

LR2

MEG LR2s seem to have found a base, with rates holding on the TC1 (75Kt MEG/Japan) at the WS115-116 level, while rates for the 90kt MEG/UK-Continent TC20 voyage hovered around the US$4,000,000 mark. West of Suez, the Mediterranean/East LR2s were somewhat softer, with TC15 index losing a little over US$45,500 to US$2,848,010

LR1

In the MEG, LR1s going east did not have the same steadiness as their larger cousins this week. The 55kt MEG/Japan index of TC5 slackened about three points to WS140.63, although the 65kt MEG/UK-Continent of TC8 climbed another US$150,000 to US$3,442,400 (or US$52.96/mt). On the UK-Continent, a 60Kt ARA/West Africa run on TC16 fell eight points to WS119.05.

MR

Rates were softer across all regions this week. The TC17 35kt MEG/East Africa shed 10 points to WS195 (showing a daily TCE of US$16,549/day round trip). On the UK-Continent MRs the 37kt ARA/US-Atlantic coast of TC2, recent gains were lost, with the rate coming down about 17 points to WS120.74, which gives a Baltic round trip TCE of US$9,335/day and the TC19 run (37kt ARA/West Africa) came off 16 points to WS140.

Across the Atlantic, the TC14 (38kt US-Gulf/UK-Continent) route lost another five points to WS148.53 (just over US$15,600/day basis a round trip TCE). The 38kt US Gulf/Brazil on TC18 went from WS204.29 to WS198.57 (showing a daily round trip TCE of about US$24,100) and the 38kt US-Gulf/Caribbean of TC21 closed US$9,000 lower at US$625,000 (a daily TCE round trip of US$17,797).

Handymax

In the Mediterranean, 30kt Cross Mediterranean (TC6) took another heavy hit, closing 24 points lower than a week ago at WS114.84. In northwest Europe, the TC23 30kt Cross UK-Continent added a solitary point to its value, taking it to WS156.45 (US$13,760/day round trip TCE).

VLCC

The VLCC market ended the week a little firmer, with sentiment suggesting further gains can be made. Yesterday, Vietnamese charterers took a vessel over 15 years old and ex drydock at WS45 for a trip that is considered as typically freighting at three points less than a China discharge. The 270,000 mt Middle East Gulf to China trip climbed three points week-on-week to WS47.5, which gives a daily round-trip TCE of US$24,409 basis the Baltic Exchange’s vessel description.

In the Atlantic market, the rate for 260,000 mt West Africa/China rose 2.5 points to WS51.78 (corresponding to a round voyage TCE of US$29,487/day), whilst the rate for 270,000 mt US Gulf/China lost US$100,000 to US$7,170,000 (US$31,565/day round trip TCE).

Suezmax

Suezmaxes in all regions have had a tough week with rates falling. In West Africa the 130,000 mt Nigeria/UK Continent voyage eased three points to WS79.31 (a daily round-trip TCE of US$26,524). The TD27 route (Guyana to UK Continent basis 130,000 mt) was assessed on Thursday at WS79.44 down two points for the week, which translates into a daily round trip TCE of US$26,282 basis discharge in Rotterdam. In the Mediterranean and Black Sea region, the 135,000 mt CPC/Med route lost ground just falling through the WS80 mark (showing a daily TCE of about US$18,100 round-trip). In the Middle East, the rate for 140,000 mt Middle East Gulf to the Mediterranean (via the Suez Canal) was slightly firmer at WS94.44.

Aframax

In the North Sea, the rate for the 80,000mt Cross-UK Continent was 2.5 points softer at WS117.08 (translating to a daily round-trip TCE of US$22,622 basis Hound Point to Wilhelmshaven).

In the Mediterranean market the rate for 80,000mt Cross-Mediterranean had 11 points taken away, closing on Thursday at the WS100 level (basis Ceyhan to Lavera showing a daily round trip TCE of US$14,900).

Across the Atlantic, the market has found the bottom, for the moment. For 70,000 mt East Coast Mexico/US Gulf (TD26) owners maintain at WS100.94 (a daily TCE of US$12,300 round trip, about US$1,000/day more than a week ago). The same was seen for 70,000mt Covenas/US Gulf (TD9) holding on to the WS100 level (a round-trip TCE of a little over US$12,300/day). The rate for the transatlantic route of 70,000 mt US Gulf/UK Continent (TD25) eased three points to WS127.78 (a round trip TCE basis Houston/Rotterdam of US$25,428/day, about US$300 per day less than a week ago).

LNG

As the weather in the UK moves decidedly into autumn and the winter is fast approaching, there had been hopes the LNG market would see the typical winter boost. However, with no sign on the horizon of a rate rise coming, there are worries it could be a rather slow period still for LNG, at least when it comes to spot activity. Gas Tech is just around the corner and those gearing up for a busy few days will be keen to see what the LNG market has been working on.

In regard to the rates this week, there hasn’t been much to report. The Pacific market has continued its fall and BLNG1 Aus-Japan on the 174cbm fell by US$4,000 to US$73,000 while the 160cbm fell to US$58,800. Across the Atlantic BLNG2 Houston-Cont saw a minimal fall closing at US$58,800 and US$45,900 for the 174cbm and 160cbm, respectively. BLNG3 Houston-Japan moved least of the three but still lost some value with a close of US$78,500 on the 174cbm and US$62,500 on the 160cbm.

Period for longer term remains active and there are discussions taking place for 10 years plus, but the Baltic print of six-month period fell to US$91,300 while the one-year term finished down at US$75,700 and the three-year closed at US$81,600.

LPG

The sluggish market has continued this week, with few reported fixtures and rates beginning to fall on the back of sentiment and the lack of open interest. Tonnage remains longer and with few cargoes working, the rates have reacted as expected falling by several dollars. BLPG1 Ras Tanura-Chiba fell by US$4.667 from a high of US$64 to US$59.333 pushing TCE Earnings down, as well by US$4,729 to an equivalent of US$8,754/day.

Across the Atlantic, the market wasn’t much busier with very little being reported and open tonnage, although tighter than in the East, beginning to pile up rates took a hit. BLPG2 Houston-Flushing dropped by US$2.75 to US$64.125 while the TCE earnings fell to US$65,860. BLPG3 Houston—Chiba lost the most this week falling from a high of US$118.833 to US$114 and TCE earnings falling to a close of US$45,361.

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