Capesize Market Experiences Market Shift Last Week

Capesize Market Experiences Market Shift Last Week

Summary

The dry bulk complex saw mixed sentiment over the week with an early subdued tone, a midweek softening and a recovery into the close driven largely by Atlantic activity.

Capesize: The Pacific remained supported by miner and operator activity, with C5 trades largely around $9.95–$10.00. South Brazil and West Africa to China (C3) fixtures were reported in the mid-$23,000s with appetite for later October stems. The North Atlantic was stronger, especially for fronthaul business where reported levels climbed into the low to mid-$40,000s. The BCI 5TC opened at $24,455, dipped below $23,000 midweek and finished at $23,513.

Panamax: The market shifted from subdued to firmer midweek, led by the Atlantic where a shortage of early tonnage supported transatlantic rounds in the low $20,000s and fronthaul trips via the US East Coast to India into the upper $20,000s. The Pacific followed the positive tone with Australia/NoPac rounds around $13,000. EC South America rounds paid premiums, with reported fixtures of $18,500 and $17,500 on 82,000-dwt ships to SE Asia.

Ultramax/Supramax: Asia showed softer sentiment and lighter enquiry, while the Atlantic remained relatively healthy. Notable fixtures included a 61,000-dwt in the upper $20,000s for a transatlantic run and a 63,000-dwt from Santos to Chittagong in the mid-$16,000s plus ballast bonus. Activity in the Indian Ocean and from the Continent to the Mediterranean also helped support rates.

Handysize: A steady, balanced week overall. The Continent and Mediterranean saw modest gains (example: 28,000-dwt Ghent to East Mediterranean with scrap at $9,500). South Atlantic fundamentals were constructive for larger Handies (40,000-dwt EC South America to Algeria at $22,500). The US Gulf softened slightly while Asia remained positional with rates largely steady.

Key Points

• Capesize market swung from subdued to softer midweek before recovering into the close; BCI 5TC closed around $23,513.
• Pacific Capesize trades largely held near $9.95–$10.00 (C5); C3 routes mid-$23,000s for South Brazil/West Africa to China.
• North Atlantic outperformed: fronthaul fixtures into the low–mid $40,000s provided upward momentum.
• Panamax strengthened midweek led by Atlantic tightness — transatlantic rounds into low $20,000s and fronthaul upper $20,000s.
• Ultramax/Supramax: Asia subdued but Atlantic and Indian Ocean demand kept pockets of support; mixed fixture levels reported.
• Handysize remained steady with modest upward movement in Europe/Mediterranean and selective strength from EC South America.

Why should I read this?

Quick heads-up: if you work in chartering, freight procurement or commodity logistics, this is a neat weekly wrap that shows where pressure is building (hint: the Atlantic). Saves you sifting through broker reports — the essentials are here.

Author style

Punchy: a crisp broker-market snapshot. Not earth-shattering, but useful — especially if you need a fast read to stay on top of rate moves and regional demand swings.

Source

Source: https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/capesize-market-experiences-market-shift-last-week/