argus_freight[1]

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AUG-10
Caribbean-US Gulf 70,000t Caribbean-US Gulf 50,000t Ecuador-US west coast 50,000t
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Argus Freight
for replacement vessels. Caribbean-USGulf 70,000t Aframax rates were softening from WS115 to 112.5, amid reports of fixing also having been concluded as low as WS110 by Shell, taking a Heidmar vessel off August 19-20 dates. Suezmax crude freight rates were little changed Monday amid a lack of market activity. Rates for west Africa-US Gulf 130,000t shipments fell 2.5 points to 82.5, amid unconfirmed reports of a Nidas fixture at WS82.5 on the Trooper and broker expectations that the rate would be repeated. Rates for Black Sea-Mediterranean 135,000t shipments remained at WS92.5, while demurrage rates on the route were at $30,000t, falling $2,500. Cross-UKC rates remained at WS90, while UKC-US Gulf rates were at WS80. Fuel oil freight rates fell Monday. Rates for Baltic-UKC 30,000t shipments were at WS170, falling five points, while Baltic-Mediterranean rates also fell five points to WS180. Rates for UKC-US Gulf 55,000t shipments were in the WS127.5-130 range, falling from WS130 Friday, as were Mediterranean-USG rates. Rates for cross-Mediterranean 30,000t shipments were at WS165, falling from WS170 Friday, while Black Sea-Mediterranean rates were at WS170, falling ten points. East of Suez clean freight rates remained around former levels Monday amid expectations for stable rates as the week progressed. Rates for Mideast Gulf-Japan 55,000t LR1 shipments were at WS162-165, from WS165 Friday, while rates for 75,000t LR2 shipments on the same route were at WS142-145, from WS145 Friday. Singapore-Japan 30,000t rates remained in the WS138-140 range, while rates for Mideast Gulf-east 35,000t shipments were at WS165, falling 2.5 points. Rates for Mideast Gulf-east Africa 35,000t shipments remained at WS285-290. North European clean freight rates fell for 30,000t crossand Baltic-UKC shipments amid a lack of activity on the routes. Rates fell to the WS155-160 range from WS170 previously. Rates for 22,000t cross-UKC shipments remained at WS175-180. Mediterranean clean freight activity remained slow Monday with rates likely to fall as the week progressed. Rates for cross-Mediterranean 30,000t shipments were unchanged at WS145, while Black Sea-Mediterranean rates remained at WS150. Transatlantic clean freight rates remained at former levels, Monday, amid a lack of activity on the route. Rates for UKC-US Atlantic coast were at WS145, while 65,000t rates on the same route remained at WS120. Rates for UKC-west Africa were at WS167.5, falling 7.5 points. Caribbean clean freight rates were entirely unchanged Monday. Rates for Caribbean-US Atlantic coast 38,000t shipments were at WS130 amid slow activity, while USGC/Caribbean-UKCM rates were at WS75 despite some enquiry on the route. Dry Bulk freight rates began to soften slightly for Capesize shipments Monday. Rates for Richards Bay-Rotterdam shipments Page of 5
Mideast Gulf VLCC freight rates remain firm The firmer trend for Mideast Gulf VLCC freight rates continued from last week. Chinese charterers were securing double-hull tonnage for remaining end-August loading positions at WS62.5, up a further six points from Friday’s market level. Bluelight and Glasford both fixed at that level, the former taking the Sarah Glory off a prompt August 19 loading date at that level. Brokers expected this week to feature both end-August and early-September loading activity to be worked by charterers, although the onset of the bulk of September working was not expected to cause rates to move out of their current ranges. Shipowners were looking to repeat fixing at around WS62.5-65 while charterers were aiming for WS60. Single-hull rates were not matching the rise in double-hulls due to a lack of fixing interest and rates were unchanged at WS42.5-45. Rates into UKCM and USGulf destinations were edging higher after Total fixed the Argenta off an end-August loading position at WS45 into the west, 2.5 points higher from last-done. Again, east 80,000t Aframax rates were unchanged at WS102.5 for Indonesia-Japan and WS110 for Mideast Gulf-east movements. Aframax crude freight rates continued to firm Monday for cross-UKC 80,000t shipments with WS107.5 reported on subjects twice, firming from WS100 Friday. Rates for PrimorskUKC 100,000t shipments remained in the WS90-95 range, with one broker viewing that as the top of the market. Rates for Black Sea-Mediterranean 80,000t shipments were at WS147.5-152.5, from WS150 Friday, amid unconfirmed reports of a BP replacement fixture at WS152.5 Supsa-Mediterranean. Cross-Mediterranean rates were in the WS137.5-142.5 range amid broker expectations of lower rates to come, with higher rates only available