The Baltic Exchange's latest market structure report shows firmer LNG freight rates for the week ending 25 September, supported by more chartering activity and expectations for winter gas demand.[2] All three LNG benchmarks ended higher, with the strongest gains on United States Gulf export routes.[2] The report attributed those gains to firmer freight demand and tighter vessel availability.[2]
The BLNG3 assessment climbed from $51,900 a day at the start of the week to $66,000 by Friday, while BLNG2 rose from $24,700 to $32,400.[2] BLNG1 increased from $28,050 to $33,200 a day.[2] Longer charter assessments were mixed: the six month assessment softened to $42,500 a day, while the one year and three year assessments increased to $55,167 and $73,000 respectively.[2]
Product tanker earnings also strengthened in the Atlantic, where the Baltic's MR triangulation basket rose from $28,400 to $34,800 a day on a time charter equivalent basis.[2] The corresponding daily earnings assessment for the United States Gulf to UK Continent route increased from $20,600 to $25,800.[2] For the Gulf to Caribbean route, it rose from $14,100 to $21,100.[2]
Dry bulk markets showed a less uniform rise, with the Capesize time charter average adding $142 over the week to close at $52,457.[2] Tighter vessel availability and a growing cargo book supported North Atlantic rates before softer fixtures late in the week.[2] The C8 assessment retreated by more than $1,000 to $62,938, but remained at its strongest level since early December last year.[2]
Sources: [2] https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/819429