By D. Sigalas

Cont. seems more active with tonnage a bit tighter up to May 10. Rates are holding around W/S 110 to 112.5 for modern Aframaxes.

- Quiet start in the Med. with fixtures around W/S 130.

- Suezmaxes also a bit quieter, with Med. for 135,000 tons at W/S 77.5 to 80 and W. Africa at W/S 67.5 with destination USAC.

- In the Med., BP has fixed M/T “Genmar Trust” for 80,000 tons of cargo loading May 12 Algeria, discharging UKC/Med. at W/S 127.5.

- In the Cont. Europet has fixed M/T “Futura” for 80,000 tons of cargo loading May 11 Baltic, discharging UKC, at W/S 111.25.

- In Caribs, Premcor for 70,000 tons of cargo loading mid-May east coast Mexico, discharging US Gulf, has fixed M/T “Eurydice” at W/S 146.

- In W. Africa, Addax for 130,000 tons of cargo loading May 14, discharging UKC/Med., has fixed M/T “Shravan” at W/S 62.5.

- In Arabian Gulf, Stasco for 270,000 tons of cargo loading May 25, discharging East, has fixed M/T “Nuri” at W/S 32.5.

Very limited activity on capers, with their index having lost 19 points, totalling 1,206.

- In the Atlantic, Panamax rates also are easing slightly with USG/Japan allegedly at below USD 21.00, which is just a reflection of the prevailing low activity.

- Handymax rates relatively firm at USD 10,500 daily for US Gulf/Far East destinations.

- On Panamax in Far East, Bunge has fixed M/V “Africa Graeca” 74,133 dwt, built 2002, delivery China April 29-30 for 4-6 months period at USD 7,900 daily.

- In Atlantic, Cosco has fixed M/V “Bruno Salamon” 73,965 dwt, built 1998, delivery Amsterdam May 7-9 trip via Baltic, redelivery China, at USD 10,600 daily.

- On smaller sizes, Energy has fixed M/V “Olga Topic” 45,483 dwt, built ’95, del. US Gulf beg. May, redel. French Med., at USD 11,250 daily.

- On grain cargoes, Tomen has fixed M/V “Swiss Marine” for 54,000 tons of cargo loading May 22-June 7 US Gulf, discharging Japan, at USD. 21.25 per ton with 11 days all purposes.