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The dry bulk cargo market proceeded with a fall that touches the limit as well as the BDI. The bigger sizes indicated losses with capes falling down almost 10% and Kamsarmaxes fell for only 1,2%, compared to last week. On the other hand, smaller sizes kept on raising profits while holding up the general index. To be more specific Supramaxes presented a weekly increase of 7,7% and Handies of 10%. Given that, BDI presented a close to limit fall of 13 credits (-0,66%) and closed up at 1964 credits on Friday, 18th of February.
Let’s now see especially, how the last’s week dry bulk cargo market moved per size of vessel, starting off with Capes. In Asia the market illustrated considerable variations regarding all routes and freights were on the lower levels from the last weeks accordingly. However, on Friday all the rest sub-indexes closed up with a positive sign. Freight levels regarding route Australia-China (C5) reached up to 8.13$/ tn, at the end of the week.
In North Atlantic the market presented a recession during the week, while at the end many closes for trips to Asia were noted, increasing freights. Northern, Brazil remained calm throughout the week. Meanwhile the freights retreated. Friday’s freights reached up to 21.6$/ tn as regards trips from Brazil to China (for route C3), while rates from Continent to Asia closed at 37.35$ K/ day (for route C9) and for transatlantic round trips at 16.8$ K/ day (for route C8)
Considering Kamsarmaxes, in the Atlantic calmness prevailed in the beginning of the week, as much in the north as in south. As the week went, ECSA area continued to be in the same slow flow, even though rates presented an upward trend. After Wendensday market stabilization was observed and the closes to occur more or less at the same levels with slight differences regarding the type of the vessels. In North, Black Sea stood out, which presented more cargo and the supplied capacity was limited, as of the first half of the week, while on Thursday and Friday activity was decreased. Rates regarding trips from ECSA to the Far East reached up to $ 36-37 K/ day (delivery at Asia), from Continent to Asia up to $ 32-34 K/ day (delivery at Gibraltar) and from Black Sea to the same destination up to $ 36-37.5 K/ day.
On the other side, in Asia the week started off calm, without aqny considerable fluctuation regarding demand and a slight increase of supply. Furthermore, North Pacific enhanced the market with more wheat cargo. Given that, in the middle of the week, many bookings occurred. On the contrary, southern from Indonesia, cargo were limited. Rates regarding round trips to Australia-Far East moved between $ 19-20.9 K/ day.
As regards Supramaxes-Ultramaxes in S. E. Asia the market lost ground, since the Chinese demand for coal and mineral moved on the lower levels. SMX’s rates regarding trips between S. E. Asia and Far East levelled off at $ 25.5-26.5 K/ day. Northern, Far East especially, remained constant considering all routes. Exception were trips to W. C. India, that presented considerable interest due to the increased coal cargo flow and fertilizer. SMX’s rates as regards round trips to the Far East and NOPAC moved between $ 26-27.5 K/ day, for trips to W. C. India between $ 32-33 K/ day and return trips to the Atlantic Basin (BH) between $ 23-24.5 K/ day.
In MEG and W. C. India the dry bulk cargo market illustrated stability. On the one hand increased number of vessels was presented and on the other hand, improved environment in E. Asia and the Far East supported the market. SMX’s rates considering trips to Far East increased at $ 33.5-34.5 K/ day (from MEG- W. C. India), for short trips between MEG – W. C. India at $ 27-28.5 K/ day and for trips to Mediterranean at $ 22-23 K/ day.
In the Atlantic Basin and especially the U. S. gulf continued without considerable variations, retaining rates on the levels of the past week. SMX’s rates regarding transatlantic trips showed an downward trend at $ 22-23 K/ day and to Asia at $ 32-33 K/ day. In ECSA’s area the market presented intense activity, which reflected in the growth of rates as well. Increase of supply was observed, but the demand was enough to absorb it. SMX’s rates for trips to S. E. Asia-China raised at $ 33-34 K/ day and for transatlantic trips (Mediterranean/ Continent) at $ 31-32 K/ day (delivery at Recalada).
Continent’s market is on a period of stability regarding all routes, with demand and supply to indicate a period of stability as well. Although, an increase of supplied capacity on the last days of the month and the first days of the next month, is expected. SMX’s rates as regards round-local trips moved between $ 14-15 K/ day, for Scrap cargo trips to the Mediterranean at $ 14.5-15.5 K/ day and to Asia at $ 26.5-28 K/ day. In the Mediterranean the market continued as usual, although a significant concern due to increased tense in the Black Sea. It is claimed that an SMX for a trip from the Mediterranean/ Black Sea to Asia was booked at $ 34-35 K/ day (delivery at Canakkale/ Black Sea), to the other side of the Altlantic Basin at $ 21-22.5 K/ day and in the Mediterranean at $ 23.5-24.5K/ day.
As regards Handies market, in Continent the market retreated in lower speed compared to the last week. Demand was decreased, even though there are still operations in ports with ice that provide high profits. Rates for bigger vessels of the category, as regards round trips remained at $ 15-16 K/ day, to the Mediterranean with scrap cargo at $ 14.5-15.5 K/ day and as for transatlantic trips at $ 14-15 K/ day.
Mediterranean remained at the same levels despite the decreased activity. Many owners are hesitated to be lead in the Black Sea, while others ask for premium. Bigger vessels’ rates (past 36K tonne DWT) for trips in the Mediterranean moved between $ 16.5-17.5 K/ day (delivery at Canakkale), to the Continent at $ 17-18K/ day (delivery at Canakkale), to the other side of the Atlantic Basin at $ 16.5-18 K/ day (delivery at Canakkale) and for Asia at $ 23-24 K/ day.
On the other side of the Atlantic Basin, the U. S. gulf started off dynamically, with many cargo that absorb many of the directly available vessels. In those rhythms remained the rest of the week. Bigger vessels’ of the category, rates regarding trips to the other side of the Atlantic Basin, increased at $ 17-18 K/ day and to Asia $ 24.5-25.5 K/ day.
ECSA’s market retained its dynamic, even though the movement of the last week was absent. Although balance between supply and demand was observed for the rest of February. Given that, rates as regards bigger vessels from ECSA area for transatlantic trips (Continent-Mediterranean) moved between $ 26-27 K/ day and to Asia between $ 35-36 K/ day.
In MEG and W. C. India, market retained on the increased rhythms of the past week. This was supported by some available offered vessels of the area. Extensively, market presented a similar prestige in north and south with many demands from Australia and China. All routes showed increases moved higher than 30 K. Rates of the category’s bigger vessels as regards round trips to the Far East and NOPAC were closed up to $ 32-33 K/ day, from S. E. Asia to China up to $ 30.5-31.5 K./ day and from W. C. India to China up to $ 21.5-22.5 K/ day.

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