The smallest bulkers have been impressively resilient in the lead-up to Q4 with Handysize rates even gaining momentum in the Atlantic as UKC trips to ECSA move to the US$ 11,000s on ships of 42,000 dwt and US$12,000s on 58,000 dwt. Trips from the Continent to the USEC are also climbing with talk of US$ 14,000 daily having been secured on tonnage of 48,000 dwt. In the eastern basin, northbound trips from SE Asia to Singapore have remained at around US$ 13,500-14,500 with market forces balanced. Negotiations are fraught for Handysizes in the Baltic with a wide range of rate levels having been reported for a 2000-built Handy of 32,000 dwt moving from the Russian Baltic (believed to be St. Petersburg) to India with MOP. Some said that the rate was in the area of US$ 12,000 daily while others insisted it was concluded at upwards of US$ 14,500 daily even as most accounts agreed that the deal was done on APS basis. A 2017-built Ultra of 63,300 dwt is said to be on subs at US$ 30,000 ex-USG via SWP to NCSA. (For news & updates on dry bulk shipbroking, subscribe to the BMTI Daily Report.)
