Shipping Report
TANKERS Market at steady levels with activity in the Med. mainly out of the Black Sea, with rates for vessels built in the ’80s at W/S 105 and more modern at W/S 125. – Cont. remains quiet, at W/S 92.5 to 95 for the cross-UK cargoes, while Caribs moving marginally higher at W/S 120 for 70,000-ton cargo liftings. – W. Africa market is still focused on VLCC tonnage, although Sun with a loading day of May 1 has fixed M/V «Chanda» for 130,000 tons of cargo, discharging USAC, at W/S 76. – In the Med., Naftex has fixed M/V «Montrose» for 80,000 tons of cargo loading April 14 Russia, discharging Med., at W/S 105. – In the Continent Exxonmobil has fixed M/V «Athina M» for 80,000 tons of cargo loading April 17 UK, discharging UKC, at W/S 95. – In Caribs, Citgo for 70,000 tons of cargo loading April 14, discharging USAC, has fixed M/V «Genmar Minotaur» at W/S 107.5. DRY CARGO The market reports at least 6-8 new orders for Capers in the Atlantic, so one can safely draw the conclusion that increased freight rates are to be expected. – Panamaxes in the Atlantic are still fixed higher than those in the Far East. Misr has fixed M/V «Bestore» 69,110 dwt, built 1993, delivery US Gulf beg. April trip via Egypt redelivery Passero at USD 7,700 daily and USD 160,000 ballast bonus. – In the traditional grain route, US Gulf / Japan, the 20 USD mark has been achieved twice. – Handymaxes continue to strengthen in the Atlantic, helped by the scrap influence and the opening up of the Baltic for steel and fertilizer trades. – On Capers, IVS has fixed M/V «Sea Azalea» 170,000 dwt, built 1999, delivery May 1-15 Japan for 3 years trading at USD 14,000 daily for 60 days, USD 16,000 for the balance and USD 18,000 for option. – On Panamax in Atlantic, Swiss Marine has fixed M/V «Capetan Giorgis I» 62,503 dwt, built 1977, delivery S. Africa mid April, redelivery UKC / Med., at USD 7,500 daily and USD 120,000 ballast bonus. – On grain cargoes, Markmana for 38,000 tons of cargo loading mid-April Russia, discharging Spain, has fixed at USD 9.75 per ton with 3,000-ton load and 4,000 tons discharge.
