Coaster market heading for boiling point in Baltic & Continent

摘要

Players continue to report roaring demand for coaster vessels of any dwt in the Baltic & Continent. The cargo traffic ex regional ports remains very brisk, while the tonnage list is limited. This allows owners to dictate their terms confidently and seek another freight rate increase. However, owners' ideas are sometimes extremely aggressive. The bid/offer gap reaches €10-20/t, which is quite frequently seen even in the shorthaul segment. Charterers able to postpone shipments try to take a wait-and-see stance. Rates for shipments on all key routes have added another €2-5/t, although sometimes owners manage to insist on even more considerable upturns. Players note that freights on one route can vary greatly, while there is almost no difference in rates for 3-5,000 t and 5-8,000 t cargo lots: