43 week: Baltic / ARAG, Coaster shipments, Handy-size

Deteriorated, increasingly windy weather conditions in the region of Low/ Middle Baltic and the Gulf of Finland are starting to have a negative impact on tonnage arrival dates. So far there are not many openings of spot positions on the market, thought Charterers with loadings from the ports in the region of the cyclone are showing their cargoes with dates on week 45 and later in the hope to “snatch” a delayed vessel.

Especially active are timber Traders, that hope to have the biggest possible amount of lots fixed at the minimum freight rate prior to the imposition of ice restrictions.

The Continent and the French Bay region are showing a tendency towards the emergence of spot/prompt positions, in which regard Charterers are behaving more confidently. But so far it has not affected the common level of shipping, though possibly Ship Owners has started to give some slack now and then, especially in cases of so-called “return voyages” to the Baltic.