Shipping Report
TANKERS Quieter market in the Med., with Aframax rates around W/S 205, while Suezmaxes are still at W/S 200. – The 80,000-ton round-trip voyages in the Cont. are being fixed at W/S 135, while Caribs with a number of fixtures at rates ranging from W/S 235 to W/S 210. – Petrobras for 70,000 tons of cargo, loading April 6, discharging USAC, has fixed M/T «St Helen» at W/S 235, while Stusco for same cargo, loading April 14, discharging US Gulf, has fixed M/T «Tsunami» at W/S 210. – In West Africa, the 130,000-ton cargoes are being fixed at W/S 170, while VLCCs in Arabian Gulf are being fixed at W/S 90. – In the Med., ENI has fixed M/T «Sea Charm» for 80,000 tons of cargo, loading April 15 Black Sea, discharging Italy, at W/S 210. – In the Cont., Preem has fixed M/T «Stena Sirita» for 80,000 tons of cargo, loading April 13 Fredericia, discharging Brofjorden, at W/S 135. – In Caribs, Valero has fixed Genmar tonnage for 70,000 tons of cargo, loading April 10, discharging USAC, at W/S 230. – In Arabian Gulf, Repsol for 270,000 tons of cargo, loading April 20, discharging Spain, has fixed M/T «Astro Libra» at W/S 87.5. DRY CARGO Capesize trading in both areas remains dull, with limited activity. – Panamax market in the Atlantic has seen a number of new cargoes, including grain business from South America. However, some charterers claim that they have an increased number of vessels being offered for their cargoes. – Rates continue to fall in the East, with tonnage discounting significantly for quick trips to the Atlantic. Round-trip voyage rates for lME types are now just in the upper USD 30,000 daily range for Australian round-trip voyages. – On Panamax in Far East, Sinochart has fixed M/V «Conrad Oldendorff,» 76,623 dwt, built 2002, delivery China April 8-12, for 5-7 months’ trading at USD 43,000 daily. – In Atlantic, Coeclerici has fixed M/V «Torm Tina,» 75,966 dwt, built 2001, delivery Morocco April 14-20, for 2 legs at USD 55,000 daily. – On smaller sizes, Ed&F Man has fixed M/V «Ocean Galaxy,» 46,663 dwt, built 1997, delivery US Gulf April 1-10, redelivery Med., at USD 45,000 daily. – On coal cargoes, Swiss Marine has fixed M/V «Ata» for 180,000 tons of cargo, loading Richards Bay April 20-30, discharging Rotterdam, at USD 19.00 per ton with 2-day load and 25,000 tons discharge.