TIMECHARTER
'Ocean Rhea' 2011 92648 dwt dely Fangcheng 31 Jul/1 Aug trip via Australia redel South China intention coal $14,000 - cnr
'S'Hail Lusail' 2007 86041 dwt dely Samcheonpo 1 Aug trip via NoPac redel Singapore-Japan $15,500 - Glencore
'Yangze 26' 2024 82429 dwt dely Longkou 29 Jul trip via North China redel Indonesia $10,000 - cnr
'CL Yingtan' 2024 82311 dwt dely Nansha 2 Aug trip via WC Australia redel South China $17,600 - Oldendorff
'Progress Trader' 2022 82231 dwt dely Chiba 28 Jul trip via Australia redel South China intention grains $18,750 - cnr
'Rizokarpaso' 2023 82100 dwt dely Rotterdam 6 Aug trip via US East Coast redelivery India $34,000 - Oldendorff
'Santa Regina' 2014 82063 dwt dely CJK 29 Jul trip via EC Australia redel India $16,500 - Tata NYK
'Atlantic Sakura' 2020 81727 dwt dely Brunsbuttel 28 Jul trip via Narvik redel Continent intention iron ore $22,000 - Oldendorff
'Aeneas' 2011 81586 dwt dely Machong 2/4 Aug trip via EC Australia redel South Korea $14,500 - Panocean
'Merchia' 2015 63800 dwt dely Chittagong 1/5 Aug trip via EC India redel WC India $20,000 - CET
'Josco Shunzhou' 2025 63565 dwt dely Kandla 1/5 Aug trip redel Bangladesh intention aggregates $20,000 - Teambulk
'Alasia' 2014 61311 dwt dely Mongla 31 Jul/3 Aug 2 laden legs coastal trade $19,500 - Propel
'Aquastar' 2016 61225 dwt dely Chittagong 2 Aug trip via EC India redel WC India $20,000 - cnr
'Nestor I' 2011 32312 dwt dely Rouen prompt trip redel Atlantic Colombia intention grains $9,500 - Centurion
VOYAGES
ORE
'TBN' 170000/10 Dampier/Qingdao 13/15 Aug $11.85 fio 90000shinc/30000shinc - Rio Tinto
'Jutta' 2016 170000/10 Tubarao option West Africa/Qingdao 17/21 Aug $32.10 fio 3 days shinc/30000shinc - Oldendorff - <28/7 fixture>
COAL
'TBN' 75000/10 Mobile/Erdemir 15/24 Aug $32.50 fio 25000shinc/19000shinc - Egeden
'Hyundai Glovis TBN' 60750-72500 Gladstone/Boryeong 16/25 Aug $16.43 fio 35000mtsatshexuu/19000ltshinc - Kepco
GRAIN
'TBN' 63000/10 Santos/China 15/20 Aug $50.00 fio 8000sshex/8000sshex - ADMI
'TBN' 63000/10 Santos/China 20/30 Aug $49.75 fio 8000sshex/8000sshex - ECTP
WRITEUP
CAPESIZE
Despite another modest decline in the headline index, market conditions showed early signs of stabilisation, with rates in both the Pacific and Atlantic appearing to find a floor after the recent correction. The BCI 182 5TC index eased by a further $664 to close at $36,887. In the Pacific, activity remained relatively subdued with sentiment marginally softer. The C5 index slipped by $0.225 to $11.945, although underlying demand remained respectable with two of the major miners active alongside a healthy volume of operator cargoes. Early bids emerged around $11.50 against offers in the low $12s. One miner was reported to have fixed at $11.85, while another suggested the best remaining offers were closer to the $12.20-$12.30 level, highlighting that owners were still resisting lower numbers despite the softer tone. The Atlantic experienced the sharper correction, with the C3 route falling by $0.745 to $33.035. However, sentiment improved as the day progressed, with participants suggesting the market was beginning to find a level following reports of $32.50 overnight. Bids were heard edging back towards $33.00 against offers ranging from $33.50 to $34.50. Elsewhere, firmer trans-Atlantic activity saw the C8 route rise by $462 to $44,500, providing some encouragement for the basin.
PANAMAX
For the first time in a while, the P5TC has risen, gaining $57 to reach 17,953 today. Brokers have indicated that prompt tonnage availability in the North Continent and Western Mediterranean remains tight, with Owners showing little willingness to lower their expectations continuing this stand-off. Consequently, Charterers seeking prompt vessels are being compelled to adjust their ideas. Fronthaul activity from the US East Coast has also been highlighted as notably strong, with several market participants reporting firmer bids as Charterers attempt to attract Owners away from trans-Atlantic trading. There has also been talk of some potential cape stems being split which is adding further support to the Atlantic market. In the Pacific, market participants have noted an uptick in demand, supported by mineral export activity from Australia and the North Pacific, with market sentiment continuing to improve alongside concluded fixing levels. Indonesia is also reported to have seen a notable improvement, further reinforcing the firmer tone across the region. Despite this, a significant gap remains between Owners' expectations and Charterers' ideas, with Owners reluctant to fix at current rate levels with many vessels weighing up the option to ballast towards the Atlantic. The ITG Uming 2 (81,361 2017) open Port Keland 26 July was reported to have been placed on subjects, and the Rosco Plum (76,801 2004) open Zhanjiang prompt was said to have fixed a stem from Indonesia to South China to Messrs Topsheen, but a rate was not reported. CSE were said to have covered their Dalrymple Bay coal stem to Kaohsiung for 14/17 August at around $17.00. Reported period fixtures have been very slim although today it was said that Cobelfret covered their Vancouver grains requirement against a Kamsarmax for short period, but no other details have been heard.
SUPRAMAX
Despite all routes being negative again today and the 11TC average dropping to $20,582 which was a decline of $255, the North American freefall seemed to come to an end, or at least paused as we reached midweek. There seemed to be more activity from the US Gulf and hopefully rates are now stabilizing, having been hit so hard recently. There was less activity being reported for other Atlantic areas, although sources commented that the South was experiencing its usual summer lull, leaving some Owners scrambling to find cover. On the Continent and in the Mediterranean talk of a widening bid/offer gap was hindering trades. In Asia the mood continued with the negative sentiment with NoPac and Australia noticeably quieter, which had a knock on affect on the backhaul market, with rates softening across the board.
Atlantic
The Aruna Ismail (55,484 2013) New Orleans 2 August was said to be on subjects with Cargill for an inter Caribbean trip with grains at $17,000, whilst Fednav placed the Ultra Infinity (61,188 2016) on subjects delivery New Orleans for a trip to the East Mediterranean intention grains at $26,000. The Ionakos (56,988 2010) Houston 7-9 August went on subjects for a trip with petcoke to China via Cape of Good Hope at $22,000 with Norden and there was talk of a 56,000-dwt being on subjects basis delivery Texas Gulf for a trip to India with petcoke at $27,000, but further details were lacking.
Asia
The Jabal Ar Rawdah (63,292 2016) Vizag 29 July-2 August apparently went on subjects to Fortune Bulk for a trip China intention iron ore in the $11,000's and the Obe Queen (52,256 2013) Port Qasim 29 July was linked with Propel for 2 laden legs (presumably coastal trade) at $17,000.
HANDYSIZE
Following on from yesterday, the Handysize market lost further momentum and recorded another subdued session, with limited fresh activity and fixing information emerging across both basins. The Continent and Mediterranean saw a widening bid-offer spread, as fresh enquiry slowed noticeably and participants remained largely positional. The US Gulf and South Atlantic also continued to soften, with scarce fresh demand and a broadly unchanged week-on-week tonnage count keeping pressure on rates and limiting any improvement in sentiment. In the Pacific, the softer trend persisted, with most routes seeing further correction as available tonnage increased particularly across Southeast Asia, while charterers continued to test lower levels. On the period front, activity remained limited. These conditions were reflected in the index, with the 7TC average down by $76 to close at $16,131.