D. Sigalas

Market remains firm, with Aframaxes in the Med. enjoying rates of W/S 210-220, while Suezmax rates have moved up to W/S 215 for 140,000-ton cargoes out of the Black Sea.

- Alpine for 80,000 tons of cargo, loading mid-Oct. Black Sea, discharging UKC-Med., has fixed M/T “Minerva Zoe” at W/S 210, while for the same cargo OMV has fixed M/T “Paula Maersk,” loading Oct. 6, discharging Med., at W/S 225.

- Sibneft has fixed M/T “Georgios S” for 140,000 tons of cargo, loading Oct. 18, discharging UKC-Med. at W/S 207.5, while M/T “Sacramento,” for same cargo and same destination, was fixed at W/S 215.

- In the N. Sea, rates have moved similarly, with Duukar having fixed M/T “Krasnodar” for 100,000 tons of cargo, loading Oct. 13, discharging UKC, at W/S 177.

- On Suezmaxes, Vitol has fixed M/T “Ishwari” for 135,000 tons of cargo, loading Oct. 13, discharging US Gulf, at W/S 155.

- In W. Africa, premiums have been asked from Suezmaxes with loading dates up to Oct. 23. Tonnage appears thin and owners bullish.

- VLCC rates out of the same area have been pushed up to W/S 155 for transatlantic voyages.

- On Suezmaxes, Sun has fixed M/T “Nordic Hawk” for 130,000 tons of cargo, loading Oct. 22, discharging USAC, at W/S 190, while on VLCCs, China Oil with destination China has fixed M/T “Australia” for 260,000 tons of cargo, loading Nov. 1, at W/S 120.

- In Caribs, Stusco has fixed M/T “Petrokrepost” for 70,000 tons of cargo, loading Oct. 10, discharging US Gulf, at W/S 270.

- On VLCCs and on Arabian Gulf, Unipec for 270,000 tons of cargo, loading Oct. 7, discharging China, has fixed M/T “Front Vista” at W/S 132.5.

Capesize rates are falling, especially in the East.

- At the end of last week, their particular index lost 95 points, totaling 5,305.

- In the Atlantic, the market has slipped as well but in the end a number of vessels are on subjects.

- Cargill has fixed M/V “Amber,” 181,884 dwt, built 1986, delivery Oct. 11-13 Spain, trip via Colombia, redelivery UKC, at USD 60,000 daily, while in the East NCL has fixed M/V “Graceous,” 169,963 dwt, built 1999, delivery Japan beg. Oct., trip via W. Australia, redelivery China, at USD 58,000 daily.

- On Panamaxes, a slow start to the week too, due to holidays in Asia.

- Shadab has fixed M/V “Great Ambition,” 73,725 dwt, built 1999, delivery Sept. 26-28 Korea, for 4-6 months’ trading at USD 35,500 daily.

- In Atlantic, Daeyang has fixed M/V “Ming May,” 74,009 dwt, built 1997, delivery Spain Oct. 1-10, for 2-4 months’ trading at USD 36,500 daily.