LONDON (8 October 2020) -- The average rate of the Capesize five time-charter routes (Capesize 5TCs) is forecast to peak at $27,650/day in October but to decrease for the rest of the year, according to IHS Markit’s new Dry Bulk Freight Rate Forecast. This indicates that the current market is driven by short-term positional factors.
At the start of October, Capesize (180,000 deadweight tons, carrying iron ore, coal and bauxite) time charter rate has already doubled to about $30,000/day from $15,000/day just two weeks prior, according to Baltic Exchange. Capesize rate increase is mainly driven by a robust demand recovery in iron ore from Brazil, Ukraine and Canada, and improving demand for Guinean bauxite and Indian coal. IHS Markit also observed limited ballasters to the Atlantic Basin owing to weaker Atlantic rates than Pacific figures over the past two months.
“The tight supply will support Atlantic rates in the short term,” said Daejin Lee, leading shipping analyst at IHS Markit. “However, we now see increased tonnage heading to the Indian Ocean.”
The number of Capesize vessels heading to the west of Singapore is estimated to increase to 88 vessels in the week 41 ending on 10 October as stronger Atlantic earning attracts many tonnages out of Pacific. It is compared to 44 vessels in the week 38 ending 19 September while about 70 vessels on average this year through September.
“The improved coal cargo shipments to India would provide Capesize tonnage in the Indian ocean faster than before. Therefore, once those vessels that headed to Indian waters become available for the Atlantic Market, the freight market is expected to face adjustments, similar to what we have seen in July 2020 and in September 2019,” Lee said.
In the medium term, iron ore and coal demands are forecast to be under pressure because of import controls and environment regulations. Many countries have started announcing their winter regulation on coal consumption and on steel and metal smelters’ production to tackle air pollution.
Furthermore, the spread between rates for Capesizes and Panamaxes has expanded to more than 100 percent, which is a Capesize-Panamax switching point. “It is worth a note that many charterers are trying to cover Capesize coal cargoes with Panamaxes. We expect South African and Colombian coal shipments will start to switch to the smaller Panamax shipments first,” Lee said. Also, the recent declining congestion trend in Chinese ports would increase overall supply, especially in the Pacific, which will lead to a drop in Capesize rates.
In addition, IHS Markit economists do not foresee the recent momentum in commodity markets to be sustainable. “With the US presidency election coming, this uncertainty would increase the risk of correction in commodity prices in the near future,” Lee said.
http://news.ihsmarkit.com/prviewer/release_only/slug/2020-10-08-capesize-5tc-rates-to-peak-at-average-27650-day-in-october-on-tight-tonnage-supply-but-to-decline-afterwards
2020/10/28 11:16:07