Amongst some pretty poor rates, there were a few gems in the supramax sector with PacBasin pretty active.

Nothing was fixed long term in the panamax trade with only a couple of short-term time charters making the board and spot rates being very low as the Chinese New Year vacation continues.

Capesizes

China’s Hong Xiang Shipping put down $10,750 per day for a roundtrip from China to Australia with the 171,200-dwt Mineral Azalea, about as high as is going on that route which could be about to pick up.

Panamaxes

Bunge was involved in one of the period charters fixing the 76,100-dwt Mahitis (built 2001) for between five and seven months at$7,500 per day.

The 71,300-dwt Accord (built 1997) grabbed work from the end of the months for four to six months at $6,500.

In the spot market rates were generally poor with $8,000 from Milestone a high point for a trip from the Med to the Far East via the Black Sea.

The US Gulf still came up with some of the stronger rates but still $6,000 a day and $100,000 in ballast bonus from Deiulemar for a haul to the Med with the 75,500-dwt Pioneer Epos (built 1981) has to be seen as weak.

The Atlantic was pretty poor all over in fact as Transgrain paid $5,000 a day for a voyage with the 69,300-dwt Energy (built 2003) and Oldendorff just $4,600 with the 69,600-dwt Mass Glory (built 1993).

Another Europe/Med spin with the 68,800-dwt Trident Endeavour (built 1990) only set PCL back $4,000 while a back haul with the 75,100-dwt Amalia (built 2001) cost Noble a pittance at $1,000 a day.

The latter is a relet from GMI which only earlier this month paid $7,000 a day for between five and seven months with the ship.

Supramaxes

Eagle Bulk Shipping got a very strong $12,000 per day for a trip from the US Gulf to India with the 50,400-dwt Kestrel 1 (built 2004).

A trip almost in the opposite direction with the 50,200-dwt Pretty Lady (built 2001) set PacBasin back $7,000.

The Hong Kong-based handysize specialist also booked the 53,500-dwt Mercury Ocean (built 2008) for a run from Australia to Asia at just $3,250 per day with $72,500 thrown in on top.

Cargill spent $6,500 per day on a trip from the Black Sea to the Persian Gulf with the 44,100-dwt Yong An 3 (built 1996).