Western Panamax trades have undergone some renewal in late April with notable gains in cargo demand observed across the South American delivery routes and the North Atlantic at large. Front haul rates have been especially bullish of late with high teens of US$ 18,000s moving into the US$ 19,000s for tonnage of 82,000 dwt based on Far East delivery and NCSA delivery FH trips already at US$ 20,000. Supramax rates have stalled across most trade routes with the possible exception of West Africa delivery. A sudden burst in demand for export shipments from West Africa to the Far East has pushed rates into the highest US$ 13,000s on tonnage of 58,000 dwt (based on North China redelivery). Continental redelivery from West Africa has also seen rates climb to US$ 10,750 daily with talk of US$ 11,000 daily. (For news & updates on dry bulk shipbroking, subscribe to the BMTI Daily Report.)
