The chartering market has been quiet all over the place, which is also reflected in the number of fixtures reported. Off the Continent, an LME was fixed for a Murmansk round voyage at US$ 19,000 daily with redelivery ARA. Grain charterers took a 33,000 dwt North Spain for a trip via Rouen to Algeria at US$ 16,000 daily, which equates to around US$ 25-26/mt. There are charterers hoping to find tonnage at US$ 22.0-22.5/mt later this month, and which at this very moment this seems to be more of a pious hope than reality. Rostock to Casablanca business has been secured for 30,000mt at the equivalent of US$ 15,000 daily basis Rotterdam. As far as Supra-Ultras are concerned brokers have been seeing a limited number ships with any prospects of better rates.
Also from the Black Sea, strong numbers have been accomplished by owners. Scrap charterers have taken a 32,000 dwt vessel from the East Mediterranean via the Black Sea to Morocco at US$ 15,250 daily. For trips to the US Gulf, a rate of US$ 15,000 daily for a good quality 35,000 dwt vessel is not a problem to achieve. Chinese charterers have been busy looking for a 33-38,000 dwt Handysize vessel to take from the North-West Africa range to China, for which trip brokers expect a rate beyond US$ 20,000 daily.
Ore charterers have been targeting a freight level of US$ 33/mt for a 46,000mt cargo from West Africa to EC India, which looks optimistic. From South Africa, a 63,000 dwt failed at US$ 14,250 daily plus US$ 425,000 BB for a front haul trip to China to be re-fixed by other charterers at the same numbers. The East still looks very perky, although brokers believe this week to be slower with charterers trying to restrain themselves in their approach to the owners.
Rates are healthy anyway. CIS charterers were rating a 58,000dwt vessel from CJK via CIS to the Xiamen-Hong Kong area at US$ 9,800 daily. The owners were also offered a freight of US$ 9,000 daily for an Australian round voyage. Some owners very reluctant to go for long or even short period. A very nice modern 38,000 dwt was rates by charterers at US$ 11,500 daily for 3-5 months of trading. The owner would rather do 90 days at US$ 12,500 daily. Ultramax owners would be pleased to find back haul business at US$ 6,500 daily. The vessel is open in China.
Owners with tonnage open at WCSA (Vancouver range) do not seem to have reason to grumble. Owners of a 38,000 dwt open in Vancouver see no problems to fix her back to the Atlantic far beyond US$ 10,000 daily. Owners of 32,000 dwt coming open Guyaquil were offered US$ 8,500 daily to the Continent versus their number of US$ 10,000 daily.
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