Handysize bulkers saw their lowest rates in more than 18 months on Tuesday, thanks to a weakening market in the Atlantic basin.

The Baltic Exchange’s Handysize 7TC, a spot-rate average across seven key routes, slipped to $17,189 per day, marking the lowest level since it came in at $17,011 per day on 22 February 2021.

The rate has been on a downward trend since mid-May when it topped out at $30,004 per day on 16 May.