Capesize Holds Steady, Panamax Drops

Capesize rates remained very steady worldwide, but panamax rates were weaker in the Atlantic, brokers said. There were unconfirmed reports that Navix had fixed Belmaj 149,000 dwt delivery Indonesia end-March for a trip via Australia to Japan at $29,000 daily. Cargill booked Bottiglieri tonnage for 54,000 tons heavy grain U.S. Gulf/Japan for end-March at $21.75, having previously failed on subjects with the Bottiglieri re-let Darya Geeth at $22. Brokers said South America was still relatively inactive with few signs yet of firmer rates for panamaxes or handysizes. The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) shed five points to 1,640, the Baltic Panamax Index fell 22 to 1,573, the Baltic Handy Index slipped one to 1,109 but the Baltic Capesize Index rose six points to 2,247.