Shipping Report

TANKERS Aframax market remains firm in all areas. – In the Mediterranean, the 80,000-ton cargoes out of the Black Sea are fixed at around/above W/S 400, while in the North Sea, the same size cargoes are fixed at W/S 330. – In the North Sea, the 100,000-ton cargo liftings out of the Baltic are fixed at W/S 300, while – Caribs, Valero has fixed M/T «Althea» at W/S 450 for 70,000 tons of cargo, loading October 27 East Coast Mexico, discharging US Gulf. – In the same area and on smaller sizes, Premcor, for 50,000 tons of cargo, loading October 12, discharging US Gulf, has fixed M/T «Rubymar» at W/S 400. – The West Africa market on Suezmaxes seems weaker, with lesser inquiry. – Sun has fixed M/T «Virgo Voyager,» for 130,000 tons of cargo, loading November 12, discharging USAC, at W/S 270, while China Oil, for same cargo, loading November 1, discharging China, has fixed M/T «Knock Stocks» at W/S 240. – On VLCCs in Arabian Gulf, Chevtex has fixed M/T «Venture Spirit» for 270,000 tons of cargo, loading November 12, discharging Far East, at W/S 202.5, while Stasco, for 275,000 tons of cargo, loading November 19, with same destination, has fixed M/T «Front Vista» at W/S 220. DRY CARGO Capesize rates remain strong in the Atlantic and in the East. Several ships were fixed at rates that support recent optimism. – In the Atlantic, M/V «Sg Prosperity,» 211,201 dwt, built 1997, redelivery Far East, was fixed at USD 90,000 daily. – In the Far East, Nyk has fixed M/V «Katerina V,» 171,074 dwt, built 2001, delivery Japan October 19, for an Australian round voyage at USD 70,000 daily. – There is also a very busy market on Panamaxes, with strong interest on periods too. – In the Far East, Noble has fixed M/V «Yong Kang,» 74,500 dwt, built 2001, delivery Muscat end October, trip via West Coast India, redelivery China, at USD 30,700 daily. – In the Atlantic, Cargill has fixed M/V «Evanthia,» 74,631 dwt, built 2001, delivery Gibraltar end October, for 4-6 months’ trading at USD 37,000 daily. – On smaller sizes, Combac has fixed M/V «Searider,» 41,525 dwt, built 1984, delivery end October UKC, redelivery US Gulf, at USD 18,750 daily.