The SE Asian Supramax/Ultramax market is showing some minor positive changes. Current improvements are referred to increased demand for prompt cargoes, particularly in China given upcoming public holidays. Also, active and firming Indian Ocean market is another reason for positive shifts, as more charterers are looking to source tonnage from the SE Asian region.
TCT rates for Supramax coal and nickel ore shipments bss dely Indonesia redel China are discussed at $4.5-5.5k daily (vs. $3.5k daily last week). A Supramax carrier is on subs at $6k daily bss dely Indonesia redel China. Note that some DOP deals have finally emerged this week. A Supramax ship has been fixed at $4.5k daily bss dely Vietnam via Indonesia redel Spore-Japan. A 56k dwt vessel has been fixed at $3.5k daily bss dely Vietnam via Thailand redel China. A 57k dwt carrier is on subs at $4k daily bss dely N.China via SEAsia redel N.China. The contract for a Supramax ship bss dely Philippines redel N.China is negotiated at $6k daily. Deals for Ultramax fleet bss dely CJK via EC Australia redel SEAsia are discussed at $4.5-5.5k daily, those bss dely Singapore via EC Australia redel SEAsia at $4-4.5k daily. The contract for a Supramax salt shipment bss dely Singapore via WC Australia redel Spore-Japan is negotiated at $4k daily.
On the voyage basis, shipment of a Supramax-lot of coal from Indonesia to WCI with spot laycans may cost $5-5.5/t. Transportation of 55,000 t of coal from Indonesia to ECI may cost $4.5-5/t. Carrying 50,000 t of coal from East Kalimantan to Guangzhou is estimated at $3.5-4.5/t. The deal for shipment of 50-55,000 t of coal from Indonesia to WC India with late April laycans is negotiated at $5/t. The contract for transportation of 50,000 t of coal from Indonesia to Thailand with early May laycans is discussed at $3/t. The deal for transportation of 50,000 t of coal from EC Australia to Indonesia with late April-early May laycans is discussed at $7.5-8/t.
The Handysize market seems pretty flat, with most deals still discussed on the APS basis. The deal for a 28k dwt vessel bss dely Thailand redel SEAsia is negotiated at $3-4k daily. The contract for a large Handysize carrier bss dely Indonesia redel Philippines is discussed at $4-4.5k daily. Owners of ships open S.China are seeking to get $3-4k daily for cargo transportation from Australia to FEast bss DOP. The deal for shipment of a Handysize-lot of alumina from the east coast of Australia to China is negotiated at $14-14.5/t, that from the west coast of Australia to China at $13/t.