Chartering market at hand // week 38

摘要

Small-tonnage freight rates for sea-going shipments stay under pressure both in the Black and Mediterranean Seas. The shortage of Turkish and Ukrainian steel products, as well as of European grain cargoes, remains the key problem for owners, while tonnage demand is still supported by exports of Ukrainian grain and Russian steel products. Fertilizer traffic from North Africa to the North Sea is also quite brisk, although owners reluctantly consider such options, not willing to reposition their tonnage to that area. Freight rates are now heavily dependent on laycans, especially in eastern Mediterranean. Quite many vessels are opening for early Oct, while the relevant cargo offer remains very modest. As a result, charterers continue to lower rates ($0.5-2/t down over the week). Note that spot vessel list is a bit shorter these days.