Baltic Exchange Shipping Insights

Capesize

The Capesize market maintained a generally firm tone this week, supported by a tightening of tonnage in both the Pacific and North Atlantic, alongside a steady flow of cargo. In the Pacific, early-week momentum was driven by active miners on the C5 route and healthy operator volumes, while a notably shorter tonnage list helped sustain sentiment despite some mid-week stagnation and a holiday-induced slowdown on Thursday. Rates on C5 hovered around the $8.00 mark, although fixing volumes tapered off later in the week. On the South Brazil and West Africa to China routes, the market held relatively stable, though the length of the ballaster list continued to cap upside potential. The C3 index slipped from $19.845 at the start of the week to $19.345 by week’s end. The North Atlantic remained more encouraging, with consistent spot cargoes on both Transatlantic and Fronthaul routes. Tightening tonnage and firm fixtures mid-to-late week culminated in a strong Fronthaul fixture resulting in the C9 index pushing up by $1,126 today to end the week at $38,719.

Panamax

This week was characterized by fragmented activity due to various holidays around the world. In the Atlantic basin, fresh demand was minimal, but with a modest tonnage count, rates remained steady for most of the limited trans-Atlantic and front haul fixtures. Notably, a scrubber-fitted 82,000-dwt vessel delivered in the Spanish Mediterranean secured a rate of $17,750 for a trip via North Coast South America to the Far East. South America saw little change throughout the week, with rates starting to feel some pressure for end-May arrivals in Asia, and only a few fixtures emerging. Asia, also affected by holidays, lacked momentum despite increased coal demand from Indonesia and Australia. Indonesian round coal trips were the most active, starting the week around $11,500 but dropping to approximately $10,850 by week’s end. With minimal support from the FFA market, there was limited period news. However, at the start of the week, an 82,000-dwt vessel delivered in China achieved a rate of $12,000 for 8/10 month’s period.

Ultramax/Supramax

With the shipping event in Geneva and the widespread May Day holiday it was a rather subdued week overall. The Atlantic lacked much fresh impetus especially from the US Gulf and Continent, although the South Atlantic remained rather positional. From the US Gulf a 55,000-dwt was heard fixed for a trip from Mississippi to NC South America at $9,750. Whilst from South America, a 63,000-dwt was heard fixed delivery Recalada trip to SE Asia at $13,750 plus $375,000 ballast bonus. Sentiment remained poor from the Asian arena as demand waned from Indonesia. A 57,000 was heard fixed delivery Indonesia trip to China at $9,250. From the north, a 63,000-dwt was heard fixed delivery WC Canada for a trip EC India-Bangladesh at $13,250 plus $370,000 ballast bonus. The Indian Ocean bubbled along, a 57,000 was heard fixed basis delivery Mormugao trip to China at $10,000. Whilst a 63,000-dwt fixed delivery Fujairah trip redelivery Bangladesh at $18,000.

Handysize

A challenging week for the sector with rates in both the Atlantic and Pacific regions facing downward pressure. In the Continent and Mediterranean, rates largely remained flat, with limited cargoes available against tonnage on offer. A 36,000-dwt open North Spain 2 May fixed delivery Safi trip redelivery Dakar-Tema with gypsum at $9,000. The South Atlantic held relatively firm comparing to other routes, supported by steady fundamentals, the transatlantic cargoes were the main driver for the region. A 36,000-dwt fixed for delivery Paranagua for trip via Recalada to redelivery Algeria at $17,000. In the U.S. Gulf, sentiment stayed weak, as the tonnage count continues to build, further putting pressure on rates. The Asian market remained subdued, with tonnage levels increased in SE Asia and NOPAC, causing rates to stay largely unchanged. A 38,000-dwt fixed via East Australia for Townsville to Japan with clean cargo at $14,700.

Clean

LR2

MEG LR2’s rates have been slightly reduced this week. The TC1 75kt MEG/Japan index slipped 2 points to WS124.44 and TC20 90kt MEG/UK-Continent has fallen about $85,000 to just below the $3.5m level.

West of Suez, Mediterranean/East LR2’s the rate has fallen another $50,000 to settle at $3,000,000.

LR1

MEG LR1 freight has sunk this week, a steeper fall than the LR2’s. The TC5 55kt MEG/Japan index lost 13 points to WS134.06 while a voyage west on TC8 65kt MEG/UK-Continent went from about $2,864,000 to about $2,714,000.

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Baltic Exchange Shipping Insights

On the UK- Continent LR1’s continued along their current path for the third week. The TC16 60kt ARA/West Africa index remained at around the WS130 level with the Baltic TCE just under $24,000 /day round trip.

MR

MRs in the MEG gained slightly this week. The TC17 35kt MEG/East Africa index climbed 2 points to WS213.21 taking the Baltic TCE to about $21,800/day round trip.

UK-Continent MRs tumbled this week with the rate for the TC2 37kt ARA/US-Atlantic coast trip falling 13 points to dip just below WS140 giving a corresponding TCE of a whisker below $15,000/day. Similarly, the TC19 voyage of 37kt ARA/West Africa lost 15 points to WS158.44.

USG MRs recovered recent losses this week. The TC14 38kt US-Gulf/UK-Continent gained 13 points to WS122.5 while the closely aligned TC18 route of 38kt US Gulf/Brazil had 9 points added, rising to WS166.79. The shorter Caribbean run on TC21, 38kt US-Gulf/Caribbean is firmer by over $77,000 (just over 15%) to be assessed at $589,286.

The MR Atlantic Triangulation Basket TCE went from $23,270 to $24,435.

Handymax

Baltic Clean Handymaxes had a torrid week with the TC6 index dropping 32.5 points to WS136.94 and on the UK-Continent the TC23 30kt Cross UK-Continent fell 20 points to WS151.67.

VLCC

The market in the Middle East and West Africa turned again this week while the US Gulf continues to march on. The rate for the 270,000 mt Middle East Gulf to China trip (TD3C) has lost 5.5 points to WS67 corresponding to a round-trip TCE of $51,134.

In the Atlantic market, the rate for 260,000 mt West Africa/China (TD15) eased 2.5 points to WS67.13 giving a round voyage TCE of $51,690 per day. The rate for 270,000 mt US Gulf/China (TD22) rose by $411,358 which shows a daily round trip TCE of $51,054.

Suezmax

Suezmax owners had to capitulate this week with the market falling in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. The rate for the 130,000 mt Nigeria/UK Continent voyage (TD20) was knocked down 10 points to WS109.17 meaning a daily round-trip TCE of $50,178 while the TD27 route (Guyana to UK Continent basis 130,000 mt) lost 9 points to WS107.5 translating to a daily round trip TCE of $48,939 basis discharge in Rotterdam. The CPC programme continues to provide some stability to the Suezmax market and the TD6 route of 135,000 mt CPC/Augusta only losing 4 points to WS131.55 showing a daily TCE of about $63,500 round-trip. In the Middle East, the rate for the TD23 route of 140,000 mt Middle East Gulf to the Mediterranean (via the Suez Canal) has continued to be steady at the WS91 level.

Aframax

In the North Sea, the rate for the 80,000 mt Cross-UK Continent route (TD7) slipped 4 points to the WS135 level, giving a daily round-trip TCE of about $49,100 basis Hound Point to Wilhelmshaven.

In the Mediterranean market the rate for 80,000 mt Cross-Mediterranean (TD19) was reduced by 4 points to WS176.61 (basis Ceyhan to Lavera, that shows a daily round trip TCE about $54,700).

Across the Atlantic, rates have eased again. For the 70,000 mt East Coast Mexico/US Gulf route (TD26) and the 70,000 mt Covenas/US Gulf route (TD9) the rates fell about 10 points on each route to the WS178-177 mark respectively, which shows a daily round-trip TCE of around $46,500 and $43,800.

The rate for the trans-Atlantic route of 70,000 mt US Gulf/UK Continent (TD25) slid 3.5 points to WS170 giving a round trip TCE basis Houston/Rotterdam of $44,517 per day.

LNG

The LNG freight market firmed significantly this week, particularly in the Atlantic basin, as fresh fixture activity and chartering demand drove rates higher. Pacific markets also showed resilience, though gains were more modest.

On the BLNG1 Gladstone–Tokyo route, 174k cbm vessels rose $400 to $22,800 per day, while 160k cbm vessels held steady at $13,800 per day. The stability in the Pacific underscores a balanced market, with charterers covering May positions in line with expectations.

The Atlantic basin showed renewed strength. On the BLNG2 US Gulf–Continent route, 174k cbm rates increased by $3,300 to $40,400 per day, while the 160k cbm equivalent climbed modestly $400 to $19,600 per day. The BLNG3 Sabine–Tokyo route saw the biggest jump, with 174k cbm rates up $5,200 to $47,000 per day, and 160k cbm vessels gaining $1,400 to $24,300 per day. These increases reflect a tighter tonnage list and bullish sentiment in the West.

The time charter market also saw modest gains. The 6-month rate increased by $550 to $31,600 per day, while 1-year charters moved up $400 to $34,800 per day. The 3-year rate ticked up $100 to $53,950 per day, pointing to steady medium-term demand despite broader macroeconomic uncertainties.

LPG

It was a quiet week in the LPG freight market, with rates trending marginally lower across all major routes. Market activity remained subdued, and unless the arbitrage improves, pressure is likely to remain on freight values.

On the BLPG1 Ras Tanura–Chiba route, rates fell by $2.67 to settle at $47.67, equating to a TCE of $31,500 per day, down $2,027 week-on-week.

The BLPG2 Houston–Flushing route slipped $0.75 to $53.00, with the TCE nearly flat at $53,009 per day. Despite minimal movement, the route remains in focus as traders eye summer demand patterns in Europe.

On the BLPG3 Houston–Chiba route, rates edged down by $1.17 to $101.50, though TCE values rose minimally by $75 to $37,758 per day.

Overall, the market awaits clearer signals. Either a pickup in cargo demand or a meaningful improvement in arb economics is needed — otherwise, freight could soften further heading into May.

Container

Whilst the liner industry waits to see what will happen between the 2 superpowers China and the USA in relation to tariffs that the USA has place on China, the market has remained fairly flat this week, as we wait hoping for some de-escalation between the 2 countries.

Many shippers are sitting on their hands and waiting to see what will happen, savvy shippers will have stockpiled stock ex China pre tariffs being imposed, so will be able to wait it out for a number of weeks/months before they need to pull the trigger on more shipments.

Carriers are naturally seeing much weaker demand and are cancelling/blanking services on many services in the key USA – China rotations.

FBX01 (China/East Asia – USA West Coast) ended the week at $2395/FEU up $68 on end last week, FBX03 (China/East Asia – USA East Coast) ended the week at $3397/FEU up just $2 on end last week. FBX11 (China/East Asia – Continent) was down $115 on the previous week at $2244/FEU and a similar story for FBX13 (China/East Asia – Mediterranean) ended the week at $2937/FEU down $129 on previous Friday.

This report is produced by the Baltic Exchange. (All currencies are in US dollars.)

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