Capesize

The market began the week with strong upward momentum, briefly pushing the BCI 182 5TC to the cusp of $39,000, supported primarily by strength in the Atlantic basin.

Early gains were driven by a firm C3 market and a tightening ballaster list, particularly for May dates, while fronthaul activity provided a notable boost.

However, this initial strength proved difficult to sustain. Divergence between basins became increasingly apparent, with the Pacific coming under pressure as C5 rates trended down from the mid $13s to $13 levels despite consistent, albeit not aggressive, miner participation. This erosion in the East ultimately offset the Atlantic’s relative resilience.

In contrast, the Atlantic maintained a firmer undertone for much of the week, with sporadic but impactful fixtures on both transatlantic and fronthaul routes lending support. Activity, however, remained uneven and by the latter part of the week even this basin began to show signs of plateauing.

Panamax

The Panamax market saw a subdued and mixed week, with limited fixing activity early on and growing tonnage lists weighing on sentiment. In the Atlantic, initial firmness from last week’s rate push gave way to softer conditions as the week progressed, driven by increasing vessel availability and weakening transatlantic grain demand.

Despite steady mineral and North Coast South American cargo flows, rates trended downward, with indices such as the P1A declining. Conversely, Asia remained comparatively resilient, supported by healthy cargo volumes from Australia, Indonesia, and the North Pacific, alongside tighter prompt tonnage. This sustained demand helped maintain firmer rates in the region. The P5TC fell from $17,785 to $17,638 over the week.

Ultramax/Supramax

A positive week for the sector with owners firmly in the driving seat in some quarters. The Atlantic saw a healthy amount of demand from the US Gulf for transatlantic runs, with a 61,000-dwt fixing to Turkey at $33,000. The South Atlantic also saw demand, which helped keep rates relatively firm, with a 63,500-dwt fixing delivery Uruguay to Singapore-Japan at $17,600 plus $760,000 ballast bonus.

The Continent saw a little more interest as the week closed, with a 63,000-dwt fixing delivery North Continent trip to the East Mediterranean at $19,500. Fresh tonnage availability remained tighter in the Asian arena, while increased levels of enquiry kept rates firm.

From the north backhaul business, a 63,000-dwt fixing for a trip via Vietnam to the Continent at $18,000 for the first 65 days and $21,000 thereafter. From the south, an ultramax fixed from SE Asia via Indonesia to WC India at $31,000. There was also a healthy amount of period cover, with a newbuilding 64,000-dwt ex Imabari fixing at $22,000 for minimum 5-7 months trading with clean cargo.

Handysize

The week saw a consistent upward trend, with sentiment strengthening day by day, even though the number of reported fixtures remained relatively limited.

In the Atlantic, the US Gulf and South America were the primary sources of strength, supporting firmer rates throughout the week due to a shortage of prompt tonnage for April.

Highlights included a 40,000-dwt vessel placed on subjects for a petcoke trip from Dos Bocas to Jacksonville at $17,000 and a 39,000-dwt ballaster from Douala fixed for a trip from Recalada to the West Coast of South America at $28,500. Meanwhile, the Continent and Mediterranean remained largely unchanged, with subdued activity and only slight rate gains. A 39,000-dwt vessel open in Castellon 24–28 April was fixed for a gypsum cargo from Morocco to West Africa at $14,000.

In Asia, momentum built steadily over the course of the week. Tight availability of prompt tonnage in the north, coupled with stronger enquiry from both northern and southern regions, pushed rates higher.

Owners gained increasing leverage, prompting charterers to raise their rate expectations. Activity levels remained solid, with some period interest also noted. A 38,000-dwt vessel open in Inchon on 23 April was fixed for a trip to Southeast Asia at $16,000.