Tariff tension hits shippers

The Capesize market faced headwinds this week, with broader macroeconomic pressures, particularly escalating US-China tariff tensions, weighing heavily on sentiment. The BCI 5TC saw significant midweek drops before recovering slightly to close the week at $14,952, down from $16,728 at the start. In the Pacific, a longer tonnage list persisted, and although key miners were active midweek, this was insufficient to halt the decline in C5 rates, which dropped from $7.95 to around $7.20 midweek before recovering slightly to close at $7.70. In the Atlantic, pressure was also felt early in the week on the South Brazil and West Africa to China routes. The C3 index mirrored the weak sentiment, falling from $20.67 to $18.71 midweek, though improved activity and rising bid levels saw it recover to $19.185 by week's end. The North Atlantic continued to see a steady flow of cargo, yet softer Trans-Atlantic and Fronthaul fixtures were reported earlier in the week.

 

This week in the Panamax market was significantly influenced by global macro-economic factors, causing disruptions across various regions. In the Atlantic, the trans-Atlantic routes experienced the most pressure due to minimal demand and softer oil prices, resulting in voyage fixtures equating to sub-index timecharter equivalents. The only positive note was the fronthaul grains from NC South America, although even these levels declined as the week progressed. South America saw a quieter week with second half April arrival deals consistently around the $15,250 + $525,000 bb mark. In Asia, the market was negatively impacted by a noticeable lack of NoPac enquiries. However, there was a mid-week improvement in demand from Australia, with rates for trips to China hovering around the $11,500 mark for 82,000-dwt types delivery China/Korea/Japan. Period activity was limited, which was expected given the global uncertainty and an unsupportive FFA market.

 

With the instability emanating from the so-called Tariff War, unsurprisingly this lack of confidence again influenced the sector. Sentiment remained decidedly poor within the Atlantic as most routes lost ground. The US Gulf lacked much fresh impetus with rumours that the Supramax were seeing in the $13,000s for fronthaul business. The South Atlantic remained positional although a 63,000-dwt was heard fixed from EC South America to Denmark at $19,000. Elsewhere there was a bit of activity from West Africa, a scrubber fitted 63,000-dwt was heard fixed from here to China in the mid $13,000s. The Asian arena was a rather mixed bag, with demand being seen from Indonesia whilst further north a lack of fresh impetus kept rates in check. From the south, a 64,000-dwt was heard fixed from Indonesia to EC India at $16,000. Whilst for NoPac business a 63,000-dwt was fixed open Japan fixed a NoPac round at $12,000. Some said period activity had almost come to a halt as the future outlook remained very unstable.

 

Another challenging week for the sector with rates in both the Atlantic and Pacific regions facing continued downward pressure. The Continent and Mediterranean markets remain subdued, with very little activity reported and rates slightly lower than previous levels. In the South Atlantic and U.S. Gulf, sentiment stayed weak, as the tonnage count continues to build, further putting pressure on rates. A 36,000-dwt heard fixed for delivery Recalada trip redelivery West Africa at $16,000 and a 39,000-dwt fixed delivery US Gulf redelivery West Mediterranean with at $12,500. In Asia, the tonnage count has been increasing throughout the week, leading downward pressure on rates and anticipating further market softening. A 38,000-dwt heard fixed for a trip delivery Susaki 7 Apr via Korea to redelivery Indonesia with steel at $11,500.