Black Sea river-sea coaster market rebounded after briefly pausing previous week. Wheat shipment quotes of 3,000 tonnes on the Azov-Marmara route rose from $50-51/tonne to $54-55/tonne. On the Rostov-Marmara route, freight rates rose from $52-53/tonne to $56-57/tonne. On the Rostov-Mersin route, quotes saw an increase from $72-73/tonne to $75-76/tonne.

There is no change in Russian fixtures in the Black Sea conventional coaster markets, and trade is quiet. Freight rates for 5,000 tonnes of steel cargo transported on the Novorossiysk-Marmara route are still being offered at around $17-18/tonne. Freight rates for 5,000 tonnes of wheat are hovering around $18-19/tonne.

On the other hand, freight rates for 5,000-6,000 tonnes of grain cargoes transported from Reni and Izmail to Marmara were trending upward from $24/tonne to $25/tonne. As another example, $24/tonne was being paid to Aliağa for 7,700 tonnes of grain cargo stacked in 51 layers.

The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) for large tonnage continued to rise, recovering from 1,936 points to 2,069 points. The Capesize, Panamax, and Supramax indices continued to rise. Meanwhile, the Handysize index, which is technically not a part of the BDI, also rose.

The Baltic Supramax Index (BSI) rose from 1,402 points last week to 1,424 points. Average revenues also recovered from $17,719/day to $17,996/day.

Freight rates on the Black Sea-Far East route rose from $22,458/day to $22,875/day. Freight rates for shipments from the Gulf of Mexico to the Far East fell from $29,975/day to $29,971/day but remained stable. Far East averages rose this week, recovering from $14,590/day to $15,129/day.

The Baltic Handysize Index (BHSI) rose from 873 points to 885 points. The average income also increased from $15,713 per day to $15,937 per day.

Handysize revenues on the Black Sea, Mediterranean, and Continent routes have risen again, climbing from $13,000/day to $14,000/day. In the Far East, daily rates have also increased from $15,000/day to $16,000/day.

Revenues on the South America-Continent route fell again, dropping from $23,783 per day to $23,300 per day. Average revenues in the Far East markets rose again this week, from $13,031 per day to $13,286 per day.

Lets us wrap it up with sales and close the week...

Two Ultramax sales were reported this week. The 2011 Japanese-built 61K DWT “Athena” sold for $18.3 million, while the 2016 Japanese-built “Imabari Queen” sold for $23.5 million. The latter vessel was scrubber-fitted.

In Supramax sales, the 2014 Japanese-built “Aquavita Bay” changed hands for $20.25 million. The 2010 Philippine-built “Forever SW” sold for $15.2 million, having just completed its 5-year survey. As for Chinese-built vessels, the 2014-built “Stonewell Pioneer” found a buyer for $14.7 million.

This week saw a large number of Handysize vessels sold. The 2016 Japanese-built 35K DWT sister ships “African Heron,” “African Merlin,” and “African Goshawk” each got $17.5 million. The 2011 Japanese-built 38K DWT “TBC Passion” went for $14.4 million. Last week, the sister ship of the same age, “TBC Prime,” was sold for $14 million. The 2013 Korean-built 38K DWT “Dogan” changed hands for $14.8 million.

No coastal traders were reported sold this week either.

We bid you a great week ahead...