Shipping Report
TANKERS The market’s main issue is that of favorable rates in recent days on Suezmaxes, especially in W. Africa and Med. At week’s end several W. Africa cargoes for the March 27-30 range remained in the market, with a lack of interest shown by owners. Rates in the mid- to high W/S 70 have been reported. – Med. on Aframaxes moved as up as W/S 117.5 with prospects above W/S 120. – Cont. not as active as Med. with rates at W/S 105. – Same figures are obtained in Caribs except for 70,000 tons cargo liftings. – In the Med., Repsol for 80,000 tons of cargo loading March 13 Egypt discharging Spain has fixed M/T «Akademik Pustovoyt» at W/S 10. – In the Continent, Navion for 80,000 tons of cargo loading March 8 Norway discharging UK has fixed M/T «Braveheart» at W/S 110. – In Caribs, Chevtex has fixed M/T «Colombia Spirit» for 70,000 tons of cargo loading March 4 discharging US Gulf at W/S 105. DRY CARGO The caper market is quieter, although interest persists on short T/C periods. M/V «Bulk Atalanta» 149,495 dwt, built 1990, was fixed at USD 12,750 delivery Continent for 10-12 months trading. – Panamaxes are still firm in the Atlantic, with the 2001 blt 73,000 dwt M/V «Silverstone» being taken ex-Ghent for a trip via the Plate to China at USD 8,700 daily with Cargill. – Prospects for handysizes in the US Gulf look promising. There are plenty of inquiries for grain cargoes across the Atlantic giving good reasons to owners for higher freight rates. – On Panamax in Far East EBC has fixed M/V «Apostolos Andreas’ 70,119 dwt, built 1995, delivery China March 1-15 for 8-13 months period at USD 8,250 daily. – In Atlantic, Transfield has fixed M/V «Iolcos Sapphire» 68,600 dwt, built 1988, delivery Brazil March 6-10 redelivery Continent at USD 7,300 daily and USD 160,000 ballast bonus. – On smaller sizes, Canadian Forest has fixed M/V «Stefania I» 28,269 dwt, built 1985, delivery beg. March Mexico for 3-5 months period at USD 6,100 daily. – On grain cargoes ADM for 60,000 tons of cargo loading US Gulf mid March discharging Egyptian Med. has fixed at USD 10.75 per ton with 10,000 tons load and 10,000 discharge. Looking for change
