Some more activity seen on Mediterranean coaster market

摘要

The Mediterranean Sea coaster shipping market looks quite busy. Requests for transportation of fertilizers, grains, metallurgical cargoes and minerals regularly enter the market. Players partly refer this to the seasonal upturn in shipments. Tonnage demand is maintained at quite high level, which plays into owners' hands. As before, Black Sea charterers also show interest in local tonnage, providing additional support. However, players share different opinions about the market direction. Optimistic sentiment prevails among owners and they increasingly try to strengthen positions. At the same time, charterers report that rates stay at last week's levels, with any ffuctuations caused by the bunker price volatility. Note that no further massive rate growth has been seen so far.