The dry bulk market has kept on its lacklustre performance overall, with the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) still hovering below the 1,000 point mark. Yesterday, the industry’s benchmark retreated by 34 points, dropping to 939. All segments were on the downside, with the Capesize market losing part of the momentum it had developed over the course of the past week. The Baltic Capesize Index was down by 72 points yesterday to 1,792.

According to the latest weekly report from shipbroker Fearnleys, “it was a positive week for the big ships, seeing overall market improvements of 15% w-o-w. Much appear due to increased atlantic volumes and a major miner taking several ships for front hauls. The conference trade West Australia/China has been stable and firming, with rates now coming in between usd 8.15 and usd 8.45 pmt, corresponding levels for pacific rounds up 10% and now standing at usd 13500. Whilst coal trades remain depressed, recent physical iron ore developments defy worries of record-high inventories and falling chinese rebar demand. Period focus has beenon the short term, where recent fixtures include 180000 dwt/built 2004 done basis delivery S.China prompt for 6-10 months at usd 23k – as FFA values are poor for q1-q2/2015, same levels also apply for 2 x 179000 dwt/built 2009 done basis prompt delivery China for 14-19 months”, said Fearnleys.

On the Panamax market, it noted that “with holidays early week the Panamax market is suffering and in a steady decline in both hemispheres. Over the last month the Atlantic market gained over 50 % for a short peak followed by a steep downturn to even lower levels. If possible, Owners are holding back from fixing freight levels offered on voyage, alternatively take the 8.000 + 80 APS USEC to Med or about 3.000 average on T/C. Trading is limited. Fronthaul is also weakening despite Owners resistance to go East, with mid-week levels under 35 pmt on voyage, or arround 12.500 + 250 GBB bss APS on T/C. Low activity level in the Far East also with APS rates applying only. Typically 6 + 80 GBB Indo/India or 6.000 average on T/C for Aussie rounds. The forward curve is all flat, indicating the panamax market will be 11.000 + for the next 5-6 years. Period takers are few with Owners offering 1 year close to the 10.000 mark. Rurmors that the Bank of China will limit Letter of Credit for Iron Ore imports did not exactly add any gun pow”, said the shipbroker.

Finally, on the Handy markets, it said that “the week started off with holidays in most European countries and the TA market is continuing south with a decrease of 26% w-o-w. We do see a steady flow of Brazilian cargoes which most likely will tie up tonnage which could lead to more pressure on the rates ex USG and Cont. Rates are still very low with USG/Cont being fixed in region of Usd 9-9,500 for Smax. But the increasing amount of cargoes for end June/early July dates are maybe a glimpse of a returning positive view. In the Feast the market is still very weak with a growing list of available tonnage. Rates are under pressure with Spore positions able to achieve ard Usd 8k for trips to India while the Sth Africa cargoes getting fixed at ard Usd 10k+Usd 200k GBB. Several owners are now in the market to cover their positions under shorter period deals and asking ard 12k for same. Still a big gap between ows and chrts as little being concluded sofar”, Fearnleys concluded.

On a similar note, shipbroker Intermodal noted earlier in the week, that “the good performance of Capesize rates proved insufficient to inspire the rest of the market, which still operates under soft sentiment, while the Panamax segment has touched new year lows”. Meanwhile, in the S&P market, “the bad freight market together with the Posidonia event proved to be a bad combo for SnP activity, while Tankers were most popular for yet another week. On the tanker side, we had the sale of the “FORTUNE ELEPHANT” (317,174dwt-blt 11, S. Korea), which was picked up at a court sale by Greek buyers for a price of $ 77.5m. On the dry bulker side, we had the sale of the “EVER REGAL” (23,468dwt-blt 98, Philippines) which was picked up by European buyers, for a price of US$ 6.8m”, Intermodal concluded.

Nikos Roussanoglou, Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide