If the plan works, why change it? Charterers working from the shadows, picking a target and keeping quiet on the details is holding the current market at the status quo. This week we have counted over 20 vessels tucked away on business with no details attached. So it stands to reason that had these cargoes worked openly, we would be in a different world (or at least a few points more). Still, ships disappearing off the position list can’t be ignored and bunkers ramping up close to USD 1000/mt, owners are starting to push back. MEG/East is trickling up through the very low WS 40’s, depending on age/quality required. The Atlantic is feeding off Suez & Afra markets which are showing some heat. At the time of writing, only 10-15 VLCC’s in the West (or heading West) available to work. Tighter and firmer in the short term likely.

It's a game of two hemispheres this week, with all the action confined to the West. The tight US Gulf is the key factor as charterers scramble to find the cheapest vessel DPT (Suezmax, Aframax,VLCC), which in itself only adds to owner sentiment. Td20 in isolation should, if supply/demand models were the only variable to consider, trade moderately up, but there is now momentum in the market and more cargoes are being forced to work in the open market which will see rates push through the WS 100 mark. The East is relatively quiet, save for MEG back haul enquiry, which may just prevent Wafr from taking a really purposeful rate jump. TD23 trades in the mid/high WS 40's whilst a China run needs testing, but owners will be looking for something starting with at least a 9. VLCC's are inevitably the cap.

Yet another lackluster week for Aframax owners trading in the North Sea and Baltic area with rates moving sideways. The tonnage list might be looking tighter as ships will ballast away from the area turning their bows to cross the Atlantic where the market is currently looking more favorable. However, we still need the volume to support any uptick in rates, and with maintenance expected for a couple strategic ports in the Nsea for June we might see the market continue to move sideways going forward.

The Med/Bsea continued sideways last week, even dropping a few points as charterers can pick and choose among the many spot ships in the area. We now see a few of them ballasting their ships TA to take part in a stronger US-market. We are not expecting the market to firm up sufficiently in the short run.

Slight turbulence at healthy levels for the big units, with most concern being on inter-pacific volumes/activity and consensus hovering around USD 33k/day. The West Australia/China iron ore conference trade remains the fundament, but with a sudden appearance of early ships the value for Pacific rounds has slid more than 20 pct the last 5 trading days to stand at USD 31k. Transatlantic trades better in comparison, with limited tonnage supply combined with substantial base commodity volumes to move, pushing daily earnings up some 15 pct to approach USD 29k. Fronthaul iron ore trades still delivers well below expectations. Substantial focus on period amongst major takers, with forward expectations being contango or close - representative fixtures include 179,000 dwt, built 2013, done for almost 2 years at USD 31k, also 181,000 dwt, built 2016, fetching USD 26k basis about 5 years.

A weaker and softer tone engulfed the Panamax market this week, with a distinct lack of fresh demand impacting market sources said. The Atlantic was said to be lacking any substantial transatlantic activity, consequently tonnage began to show signs of building up resulting in weaker bids as charterers appeared to hold the upper hand. Asia returned something of a stand-off with a wide bid/offer spread, neither owners nor charterers willing to concede culminating in a slow and inactive days trading with little reported.

Some representative fixtures this week:

Shandong Fu Hui (81,782/2017) Algeciras 5-10 June was rumored to have fixed for a trip via US Gulf option NC South America redelivery Far East at $40,000 with ADMI.

Cape Akamas (79,454/2010) Masinloc 26 May fixed for a trip via Indonesia redelivery Taiwan at $26,000 + $80,000 ballast bonus, but further details were lacking.

Ettys Perfection (76,635/2007) Spore 8 May TCT via ECSA redel Spore-Japan $24,000 – COFCO.

Ocean Thyme (82,306/2014) Gib 4 Jun TCT via NCSA redel Skaw-Gib $29,500 – ULTRABULK.

TBN 75,000/5 coal Newport News/Vizag 21/30 Jun 40,000/25,000 SSHEX bends $53.15 FIO – SAIL.

The BSI-58 10 T/C route is volatile on week-to-week basis, however the average index remain on similar levels above USD 30,000 pd. Supramax market continues its positive tone and once again we can experience sustainable market despite all the distractions from global perspective of view. The Pacific market is stable with rates maintaining at very high USD 20,000 pd, while transatlantic round voyages paying just a bit more than USD 30,000 pd. USG numbers seems to be under pressure and ECSA describes as firm and stable. Ultramax asking USD 25,000 pd plus USD 1.5M gross BB delivery Santos for TCT to Singapore- Japan. Ultramax 63’ DWT delivery Argentina rumored to be fixed at USD 50,000 pd for trip with grains to WCSA. Fronthaul from the Continent and Mediterranean pays around USD 25,000 pd, while backhauls USD 35,000 pd. We expect the market to be firm with high volatility next coming weeks.

EAST
The MEG market has been quite active lately and during the course of this and last week, rates have increased from mid USD 70's to around USD 90 on Ras Tanura/Chiba basis. This brings the East and West market earnings almost at par around mid USD 50,000 per day for a conventional vessel running VLSFO. As a consequence, more owners are considering to ballast towards Singapore instead of going straight to Balboa after Far East discharge, which has been the name of the game for the last couple of months this year. A good amount of spot FOB sales and some distressed cargoes has contributed to lifting the sentiment, however, the question remains for how long this will last.

WEST
The western freight market continues to be strong with last done deal concluded at mid 130s Houston/Chiba and mid-high 70s Houston/Flushing range. At the time of writing there are still a handful of vessels left in end June, but with as much as 35 spot fixtures so far in June it is likely that we will see couple of them be pushed over to early July which is where focus now has shifted towards. There are more relets appearing, but the position list still remains tight for the first half of July and with the expectation of a big build in US inventories we expect the rates to maintain.