Shipping Report
TANKERS Despite the number of Aframaxes being fixed in the N. Sea, rates have not moved above W/S 100, although it has helped to thin out the available tonnage setting prospects for a further increase. – A quieter day in the Med., however rates remain unaltered with owners of modern Aframax tonnage achieving W/S 125. – Suezmax more active in N. Sea, with Navion and Emerald having fixed for Med. and USAC W/S 65 and W/S 70, respectively. – In W. Africa, El Paso after canceling VLCC, which was running late, has instead fixed M/T «Front Striver» and crude tonnage at W/S 80 and W/S 77.5 respectively with destination US Gulf. – On later dates, Emerald has fixed M/T «Arteaga» for 130,000 tons of cargo with destination USAC at W/S 72.5. – In the Med., Europet for 80,000 tons of cargo loading April 14 Black Sea, discharging Med., has fixed M/T «Montrose» at W/S 110. – In the Continent, CSSA for 80,000 tons of cargo loading April 14 for round voyage has fixed M/T «Fosna» at W/S 97.5. – In Caribs, Emerald for 70,000 tons of cargo loading April 15 East Coast Mexico, discharging US Gulf, at W/S 117.5. DRYCARGO Atlantic continues to look steady on Capers, while Far East appears softer, at least on voyages. The 161,000 dwt M/V «Aquagem» has done something out of Bahoshan April 12-15 for a round-trip voyage at USD 12,500 daily. – Panamaxes in the Atlantic still enjoy better freight rates with Cargill paying USD 12.50 per ton for 60,000 tons of grain from Gulf to Egypt with 8,000 M/T discharge, while Damato has booked the 2001 74,000 dwt M/V «Medi Roma» with delivery UK for 4-6 month period at USD 9,350 daily. – Handymax market in the East remains quiet with Dreyfus having covered a Taiwan / W. Africa T/C trip at mid USD 5,000 daily. – On Panamax in Far East, Ap Moller has fixed M/V «Galateia» 71,504 dwt, built 1993, delivery China April 15 for 3-5 months trading at USD 7,750 daily. – In Atlantic, Hanjin has fixed M/V «New Arising» 71,695 dwt, built 1995, delivery end April Rotterdam trip via US Gulf, redelivery Japan, at USD 9,500 daily. – On smaller sizes, Armada has fixed M/V «Maya» 12,720 dwt, built 1982, delivery Chile end April, redelivery Australia, at USD 4,150 daily. The emphasis will be on flexibility and adapting methods to local conditions, as well as complementary action on the part of security, public order and traffic police.
