Charter rates were slightly softer over the last month. Relatively few fixtures were reported and the length of the periods concluded was in general shorter than in earlier months. On the trade lane between Asia and Europe, volumes are estimated to have increased around 15 percent in the first 5 months of this year against the comparable period last year.
Between Asia and the USA volumes of laden containers are reported to be slightly down, while in the opposite direction,volumes were up by more than 10 percent.
Freight rates were in general softer for all sizes over last month, although a moderate recovery was noted for the larger sizes towards the end of the month. Activity in iron ore was less than in previous months and US exports of grain and soybeans were lower due to weather problems on the Mississippi River.In the coal sector, the situation in Australia is now reported to be back in a more or less normal situation which should lead to higher activity in the coming months.