Shipping Report
TANKERS Steadier conditions in the Mediterranean, with 80,000-ton cargoes still at W/S 110-115, while the North Sea market appears softer, with 100,000-ton cargoes out of the Baltic Sea at W/S 100 and with the 80s cross cargoes at W/S 97.5. – Caribs at the start dropped dramatically to W/S 10 for 70,000-ton cargo liftings but later rebounded to W/S 125. – Chevron has fixed M/T «British Vine,» loading August 5 East Coast Mexico, discharging US Gulf at W/S 100, while Lyondell has fixed M/T «Minerva Zoe,» loading August 3, with same destination, at W/S 125. – West African Suezmax rates have moved upward, with the latest fixtures at W/S 122.5 for 130,000-ton cargoes with destination USAC, while in the Mediterranean, rates are stable at W/S 120. – VLCCs out of West Africa still at W/S 85 and W/S 72.5 for West and East destinations respectively. – In the Mediterranean, API has fixed M/T «Framura» for 80,000 tons of cargo, loading August 6 Egypt, discharging Mediterranean, at W/S 115. – In West Africa, Engen has fixed M/T «Front Brabant» for 130,000 tons of cargo, loading August 20, discharging South Africa, at W/S 142.5. – In Arabian Gulf, Shell for 265,000 tons of cargo, loading August 11, discharging Philippines, has fixed M/T «Starlight Venture» at W/S 95. DRY CARGO Rates remain weak for Capesizes, despite several ships being reported as fixed. – In the Atlantic, M/V «An Angel Ambition,» 161,687 dwt, built 1995, was fixed on subs for a round-trip voyage, delivery France August 8-9, at USD 20,000 daily. – On T/C periods, Swiss Marine has fixed M/V «Bulk China,» 176,000 dwt, built 2005, delivery March-May 2006, at USD 26,000 daily. – In Far East and on Panamaxes, BHP Billiton has fixed M/V «Great Wisdom,» 74,293 dwt, built 2000, delivery July 29-30 China, trip via Australia, at USD 8,700 daily. – In Atlantic, Sinochart has fixed M/V «Four Steel,» 74,443 dwt, built 1999, open Egypt, delivery Orinocco (Venezuela) beg. August, redelivery Far East, at USD 16,500 daily. – On smaller sizes, SCN has fixed M/V «Glen Mooar,» 46,570 dwt, built 1998, delivery August 1-5 US Gulf, redelivery Brazil, at USD 15,250 daily.