Pacific Capesize News

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index rise by 356 points in the week ending Monday to 4,803."The SSY Pacific Capesize Index led to a four-week high of 4,803 points, however,this still marked a sizeable annual drop of 2,104 points.The W.Australia-China iron ore spot rate gained $0.50/t to $7.50/t, as the Pacific round-voyage rate (basis 180k dwt) jumped to $15,400/day from $10,850/day the week before." SSY said.source: Reuters

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index rise by 36 points in the week ending Monday to 6,148.The SSY Pacific Capesize Index was almost unchanged week-on-week at 6,148 points as further robust rate increases on backhaul routes were cancelled out by lower earnings on South Africa-China iron ore and coal trades. The W.Australia-China iron ore spot rate edged up to $8.65/t, while there was a $300/day decline in the Pacific round-voyage rate (180k dwt) to $19,000/day.By Reuters

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index rise by 283 points in the week ending Monday to 6,112."Led by strong rate increases on backhaul trades, the SSY Pacific Capesize Index climbed 283 points week-on-week to the highest level since August at 6,112 points. The Pacific round-voyage rate retreated to $19,300/day, down $850/day, while the W.Australia-China iron ore spot rate edged lower to $8.60/t.".

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index reported a gain by 241 points in the week ending Monday to 4,915.   "The SSY Pacific Capesize Index increased by 241 points week-on-week to a 16-week high of 4,915 points. A $650/day rise in the Pacific round-voyage rate (180k dwt) was modest compared to increases in Atlantic earnings however, this was still enough to lift it to a year-to-date high of $16,000/day. The W.Australia-China iron ore spot rate rose by $0.15/t to $7.25/t." SSY said.

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index reports a change of 312 points in the week ending Monday to 3,814.   "The SSY Pacific Capesize Index rose by 312 points week-on-week to 3,814 points, ending a run of losses that went back to the end of February. The Pacific round-voyage rate (180k dwt) climbed $3,750/day to a five-week high of $11,750/day, while the West Australia- China iron ore spot rate increased by $1.15/t to $6.40/t." SSY said.

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index gain 602 points in the week ending Monday to 4,674. "A weekly gain of 602 points lifted the SSY Pacific Capesize Index up to 4,674 points. This is more than 1,800 points above the year-ago level. Round voyage rates in the Pacific (180k dwt) rebounded by $2,300/day last week to $14,100/day, while the Dampier-China iron ore spot rate was up by $0.55/t to $6.80/t."

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index gain by 432 points in the week ending Monday to 4,387. "A weekly gain of 432 points lifts the SSY Pacific Capesize Index to 4,387 points. This is 940 points above the year-ago level. An increase in iron ore chartering activity from West Australia led to a significant improvement in the Pacific, with round-voyage rates (180k dwt) rising by $5,850/day last week to $14,350/day, while the Dampier-China iron ore spot rate climbed by $1.30/t to $6.95/t".

Number of spot capesize cargoes double from January levels; Pacific capesize earnings now around $14,000 per day. Freight rates for large capesize dry cargo vessels on key Asian routes, which hit multi-month highs this week, are set to jump further next week on tight tonnage supply and buoyant cargo volumes, brokers said. Rates on the capesize route from Brazil to China soared to the highest level in nearly 18 months on Thursday, fuelled by chartering activity by Brazilian iron ore major Vale and ship operators including Louis Dreyfus, according to ship brokers and chartering data on the Reuters Eikon terminal. "I think we'll see rates continue to go up. The supply of tonnage for April loading is very tight. Tonnage is tight generally," a Singapore-based capesize broker said.

Brazil-China capesize rates hit seven-month high; Pacific capesize market dragged by buoyant tonnage supply. Freight rates for capesize bulk carriers are likely to hold steady next week although a rush of cargo in the Atlantic would again provide the trigger for rates to move higher, ship brokers said. That came after a surge in Atlantic and transatlantic cargoes boosted capesize freight rates from Brazil to China by almost $2 a tonne to a seven-month high this week. The increase was equivalent to a rise in time charter earnings of about $4,500 per day, according to British shipping services firm Clarkson. "All eyes (are on the Atlantic)," said a Singapore-based capesize broker.

SS&Y Pacific And Atlantic Capesize Indices Drop Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index fell 45 points to 5,284 in the week ending March 27. "The Pacific sector remains tight, with owners gaining firm rates in a positional market," SS&Y said. "Tonnage is scarce for early positions, allowing owners to play a stronger hand," SS&Y added. SS&Y's Atlantic Capesize Index fell 85 points to 5,179 in the same week. "The fall in this week's index was due to rates obtainable for Richards Bay/Rotterdam and Bolivar/Rotterdam, down to around $10 and the mid $7 respectively," SS&Y said. "However, there is a firm belief that the market will remain strong, with South Korea in particular still an area of heavy demand for capers from the Atlantic," SS&Y added.

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index fell 243 points to 5,259 in the week ending May 8. "The Pacific Capesize index fell after the holidays in the Far East, with early vessels becoming the victims of a lack of inquiry," SS&Y said. "A $1 fall on the Queensland/Rotterdam route (120/150,000 ton cargo) was certainly not going to help the index, which witnessed its first serious decline since January," SS&Y added. Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Atlantic Capesize Index fell 131 points to 4,786 in the week ending May 8. "The Atlantic Capesize index dived on the back of weaker demand, which softened rates for early tonnage. However, iron ore demand in the Atlantic remained steady and limited the fall in rates to more moderate levels," SS&Y said.

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index rose 76 points in the week ending Monday to 5,060. "The index rose back above the psychological 5,000 barrier despite a relatively quiet week," SS&Y said. "Japanese steel production was down on last month's highs but still remains a force to be reckoned with and South Africa is drawing tonnage away from the Pacific, giving further cause for optimism amongst owners." Meanwhile, its Atlantic Capesize Index rose 18 points in the week ending Monday to 5,162. "Few new cargo stems came to the market over the last week but one cannot discount the steady tone of the rates despite this," SS&Y said.

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index fell 54 points and its Atlantic Capesize Index fell 79 points in the week ending Monday to 5,123.

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index rose 97 points in the week ending Monday to 5,572. Its Atlantic Capesize Index rose 59 points in the week ending Monday to 5,759. "Backhaul rates strengthened amid a generally active market last week and expectations are that the market will firm further this week despite holidays in the Far East," SS&Y said in reference to the Pacific Index. "Richards Bay fixtures pointed the way forward for the Atlantic market last week, with fixtures that would equate to $11.15 per tonne on an index basis," SS&Y said in reference to the Atlantic Index. "Inquiry hasn't risen dramatically but the tough decisions that need to be made will revolve around whether to fix spot or forward."

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Atlantic Capesize Index rose 162 points in the week ending Monday to 5,700. "Capesize rates strengthened overall by the middle of last week with rates from Richards Bay for October particularly strong, with fronthaul activity also firmer," SS&Y said. SS&Y's Pacific Capesize Index fell 11 points in the week ending Monday to 5,475. "The Pacific market saw a marginal re-balancing of tonnage supply in the charterers favor on certain positions," SS&Y said.

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index rose 102 points in the week ending Monday to 5,828. "Tonnage in the Pacific remained in tight supply," SS&Y said. "The index continues to march towards 6,000 and if the trend line of the past five months is maintained we will cross this mark by mid-November," SS&Y added. Its Atlantic Capesize Index rose 30 points in the week ending Monday to 5,926. "The 30-point gain shows that the market remains very firm," SS&Y said.

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index rose 123 points in the week ending Monday to 5,726. "A major resurgence from Japanese interests heated the spot market in the Pacific with rates rising accordingly. Because of the tightened supply situation any new interest will boost the market," SS&Y said. "Several charterers have already covered early November positions, but enquiries are still relatively plentiful leading to a conclusion of continued strength in the Pacific for this week," SS&Y added. Meanwhile, SS&Y's Atlantic Capesize Index rose 44 points to 5,896 in the week ending Monday October 23. "Demand remains strong but has slackened somewhat over the past week," SS&Y said.

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index was down 62 points in the week ending Monday to 6,019. "Another quiet week in terms of inquiry, which led to a small loss in the index and while there is nothing to indicate that the rest of 2000 will have a vastly different outlook to the past few weeks, the index should remain at or around current levels." SS&Y said. "Looking forward, we are waiting on owners and charterers to start thinking about 2001 business as December loadings loom large," SS&Y added. SS&Y's Atlantic Capesize Index was down 66 points in the week ending Monday to 5,865. "Volatility seems to be the watchword for capers at present…

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index fell 281 points in the week ending Monday to 5,337. "The Pacific has weakened with tonnage being fixed APS Australia plus ballast bonus by a number of Chinese operators, which has been helped by diluted interest in December stems for trans-Pacific and backhaul routes," SS&Y said. "This has led owners to seek refuge in Richards Bay although rates are headed downwards at present, which hasn't been helped by this movement of vessels," SS&Y added. S&Y said its Atlantic Capesize Index fell 274 points in the week ending Monday to 5,425. "There has been a drop in voyage and timecharter markets over the past week, with some attributing this weaker outlook to a drop in bunkers," SS&Y said.

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index fell 53 points to 5,284. "Owners have been keen to get their vessels fixed well before the office Christmas party to keep them trading over the festive period, which has been gratefully grasped by charterers who got the discounts they desired," SS&Y said. "This may not be the case in January when the balanced positional market will have little encouragement for owners to discount asking prices, giving rise to more positive thoughts for rates," SS&Y added. SS&Y's Atlantic Capesize Index also fell 159 points to 5,266. "With two weeks to go the average for the year stands 5,153," SS&Y said.

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index fell 97 points to 4,549 in the week ending Monday, January 29, 2001. "The Chinese holidays added to weakness in the Pacific, which has exaggerated current direction," SS&Y said. "February last year saw the Index put on 31.5 percent as mills and utilities pre-empted raw material price rises to get the last few cargoes in. "Negotiations are well under way for fiscal 2001 but this time it seems unlikely that the mills will be so keen to bring in stocks as steel production begins to slow in Japan," SS&Y added.

Increased demand in the Atlantic is likely to keep Panamax trading into positive territory this week, shipbrokers said on Monday. They said Atlantic Capesize freight rates had risen in recent days, especially for Capesizes available for early loading positions and time-charters. Reports in the sector had suggested Belgium charterer Bocimar had time-chartered a number of Capesizes lately and freight rates had risen sharply on the back of anticipated demand in the area, shipbrokers said. A prime example was a Capesize transatlantic voyage trading at around $15,829 a day, or $1,000 over the rate charged last week for a similar trip. Continued interest in the South American market had also prompted a rise in rates for grain shipments out of the U.S Gulf…

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Atlantic Capesize Index rose 53 points to 4,420 in the week ending Nov. 29. "Increasing pressure on fronthaul rates, particularly for modern tonnage, has brought a firm tone to routes to the Far East, and demand for end December in to the start of 2000 will keep owners optimistic that rates will climb further," SS&Y reported. SS&Y's Pacific Capesize Index rose 173 points to 4,455 in the same week. "The Pacific Capesize Index has risen to its highest level since its inception in January 1997 as Chinese inquiry, which has been the prime mover of the recent firmer tone, remained a key feature," SS&Y reported. "It seems quite possible that the firm tone will continue in to the New Year as demand remains healthy," SS&Y added.