Atlantic Capesize News

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Atlantic Capesize Index rise by 161 points in the week ending Monday to 7,550.The SSY Atlantic Capesize Index rose by 161 points week-on-week to 7,550 points as a pickup in Brazilian iron ore chartering saw fronthaul rates from the region strengthen. There were increases of $200/day and $500/day in the round-voyage and fronthaul rates to $16,500/day and $30,000/day, respectively. The latter a six week high.Source: Reuters

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Atlantic Capesize Index rose by 293 points in the week ending Monday to 8,038.The SSY Atlantic Capesize Index retreated by 293 points last week to 8,038 points as a quiet weak for trans- Atlantic coal and iron ore chartering contributed to a softening in earnings. The Atlantic round-voyage rate (180k dwt) declined by $2,200/day to a three-week low of $17,000/day, while the fronthaul rate dropped by $1,250/day to $32,500/day.

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Atlantic Capesize Index fell by 805 points in the week ending Monday to 6,475.   "The SSY Atlantic Capesize Index fell by a further 805 points last week to 6,475 points as weak fronthaul iron ore chartering from Brazil, coupled with a lack of trans-Atlantic cargoes, contributed to a decline in earnings. At $9,750/day, the Atlantic round-voyage fell by $5,050/day, while there was a $6,200/day drop in the fronthaul rate to $22,000/day." SSY said.

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Atlantic Capesize Index down by 2,041 points in the week ending Monday to 7,323.   "Led by gains on trans-Atlantic routes, the SSY Atlantic Capesize Index to the highest level since the second week of January at 7,323 points, up by 2,041 points week-on-week. The largest weekly increase since 2014. There were strong increases, of $10,000/day and $12,350/day, in the Atlantic round-voyage and fronthaul rates (180k dwt) to $15,150/day and $31,500/day, respectively." SSY said.

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Atlantic Capesize Index rose by 826 points in the week ending Monday to 7,164. "The improvement in the Atlantic Capesize Index rose this week by 826 points to 7,164 and remains well above the corresponding levels of the previous two years. Chartering activity from Brazil helped push round voyage rates (180k dwt) and fronthaul rates both up by $3,350/day week-on-week, to $14,100/day and $25,750/day, respectively," SSY said.

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Atlantic Capesize Index gain by 487 points in the week ending Monday to 6,338.   "The SSY Atlantic Capesize Index softened by 487 points from the previous week to 6,338, the lowest level since early August. However, the premium to the year-ago level remained at 1,400 points. The Atlantic round voyage rate (180k dwt) dropped by $4,900/day week-on-week to a sixmonth low of $10,750/day, while fronthaul rates fell by $3,450/day to $22,400/day".

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Atlantic Capesize Index gain by 128 points in the week ending Monday to 6,825. "After falling to a five-month low last week, the SSY Atlantic Capesize Index rebounded by 128 points from the previous week to 6,825. The premium to the year-ago level climbed to more than 1,300 points. The Atlantic round voyage rate (180k dwt) rose by $800/ day to $15,650/day, while fronthaul rates rebounded by $1,500/day to $25,850/day".

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.

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.

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Pacific Capesize Index fell 152 points to 4,194 in the week ending Nov. 1. "The index fell as only Chinese cargoes remained very active, with brokers indicating that trans-Pacific rates for west Australia/China had held up to the softening trend," SS&Y reported. SS&Y 's Atlantic Capesize Index fell 242 points to 4,218. "A lack of early cargo and the standard 161,000 dwt Hyundai vessel fixing in the high teens rather that the low twenties last week led to rates softening in the charterers favor," SS&Y reported. "Richards Bay activity was very slow, with implied rates from there to Rotterdam slipping to the mid $7 from nearer $8 per ton a week ago," SS&Y added. Volatility was still high, reflecting the finely balanced supply and demand situation.

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Atlantic Capesize Index rose 52 points to 3,534 in the week ending Sept. 20. "The steep rise in the index over the last few weeks has gradually tailed off, but it still managed to climb over the 3,500 barrier this week and now stands 637 points above the same period in 1998," SS&Y said. "However, 637 points above awful, should only qualify as acceptable." Most rates were said to be flat or at least showed that interest was not diminishing, with Brazil/China trade moving timecharter rates for Hyundai-type vessels to $14,000 daily.

Shipbrokers Simpson, Spence and Young's Atlantic Capesize Index rose 148 points to 3,682 in the week ending Sept. 27. "A rise of 148 points in this week's index indicates the firmness of underlying demand, with trips bound for the Pacific firming considerably," SS&Y reported, adding that the ever-firming bunker price was a large contributing factor to the overall price.