The dry bulk market kept on retreating this week, with the industry's benchmark, the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) falling to 1,708 points, down 78 on the day, on the back of lower demand for Capesizes. The Baltic Capesize Index was down by 168 points yesterday to 2,775 points, while a lower fall was evident in the Panamax market, with the Baltic Panamax Index retreating by 51 points to 1,959. Smaller ship types though were a bit higher yesterday, which could be a sign of improved sentiment.

According to the latest report from shipbroker Fearnleys, commenting on the Capesize market, it noted that "Brazil remains absent from the spot market and the West Australia demand has slowed somewhat. As such, there has been little support for the big ships this week and rates have tumbled. West Australia rates have come off $1 w-o-w, with USD 9.75 PMT reported fixed at the time of writing. The T/A index has also taken a notable hit and has lost USD 6000 w-o-w, with a lack of fresh fronthaul enquiry causing an inevitable build-up of tonnage in the Atlantic basin. The weaker Q4 outlook has been echoed on the paper side, with November FFA contracts in particular taking a massive hit, losing USD 8k w-o-w and currently market at around USD 22k. Short period rates are falling as a result, although little has been reported fixed", Fearnleys said.

On the Panamax front, the shipbroker mentioned that "with plenty of major players in Berlin for the Coal Trans conference and lack of fresh cargo in the market, we have seen rates slip across both hemispheres this week. It seems that the Chinese has halted their re-stocking of iron ore for now as the rally we have experienced the last month seems to have come to a halt. TA´s are now paying around 18k while for the shorter Baltic/Murmansk runs owners are fetching low 20´s (from high 20´s end of last week). In the Pacific the rounds are now fixing low teens. The period market is less active with takers withdrawing because of the uncertainty for the short term market", it stated.

Finally, on the Handy markets, Fearnleys said that "we were back from holidays but still not much enquiries in the market. Overall future direction is uncertain. Currently, ships passing Singapore for coal to India talking around USD 15-16k and few discount for trip to China. ECI/WCI/MEG/South Africa remain same", the shipbroker concluded.

Meanwhile, on the newbuilding market this past week, Clarkson Hellas said that "this week’s ordering has been spread evening across the sizes ranging from Newcastlemax down to Handysize, and with yards in China, Japan & Korea all receiving orders in the dry sector. Starting with the largest sizes and Polaris Shipping are understood to have contracted one firm plus one option 208,000 DWT Newcastlemax at Daehan, with delivery of the firm vessel in the first quarter of 2016, and option in the second quarter if declared. Further ordering at one of China’s most experienced yards in the Capesize sector, with SWS taking an order for four firm 180,000 DWT Capesize from Zhejiang Herun Group. Pricing is understood to be in the region USD 54 Mill, with delivery of all four vessels in 2016. At Tsuneishi Zhoushan, Santoku Senpaku are understood to have placed an order for three firm 82,000 DWT Kamsarmax, with long term charter to SwissMarine. The first two vessels are due for delivery in 2015 with the final vessel in 2016. The same owner has reportedly also placed an order for two firm 77,000 DWT Panamax at Sasebo. With the order understood to have been placed earlier this summer, the two vessels are due for delivery in 2015, and both lined up for charter to Rio Tinto. In the smaller sizes China Navigation (CNCo) have continued their ordering in the Handysize section having announced an order for four firm 39,500 DWT Handysize bulkers at Zhejiang Ouhua, with delivery split between 2015 and 2016.", the shipbroker noted.

It also said that "there was some activity to report in the container sector this month, starting with Rickmers reportedly placing an order for two firm 5,400 TEU container carriers at Hanjin Subic. These wide beam post panamax vessels are understood to be the 9th and 10th in the series, with delivery in the second quarter of 2015. Taizhou Sanfu are also understood to have taken an order for ten general cargo/MPP vessels from Quanzhou Ansheng Shipping, each with a container capacity of 2,400 TEU. Delivery of these vessels is to be split between 2015 and 2016.

In other sectors Scorpio Tankers have contracted two firm 84,000 CBM LPG carriers at Hyundai Samho. Pricing is in the region USD 75 Mill with delivery of both vessels in the first quarter of 2016. Finally, EMS AG are reported to have placed an order for a single 4,000 GT Passenger/Cargo vessel at Fassmer Werft. The vessel, which is due for delivery in April 2015, will be LNG fuelled with a price in the region EURO 30 million", Clarkson Hellas concluded.