North European charterers face uncontrollable growth of coaster freights

摘要

The situation remains tense for charterers working on the Baltic & Continent coaster market. Tonnage list is short for both spot and Nov dates. Demand for fleet remains high. Shipments of fertilizers, steel products, grain and other cargoes are brisk, and competition for open vessels is sharpening. Some players are already working on Dec shipments. In these circumstances, owners continue to push freights up and often succeed. Many players call the current rate upturn uncontrollable. Over the week, rates have added another €2-5/t: