MID-SHIP Alumina/Bauxite – April 22, 2026

April 22, 2026

Market Overview: 

Supramax/Ultramax and Handysize markets remained the main bright spots midweek, with activity levels and sentiment generally constructive. In the Supramax/Ultramax segment, Atlantic trading was a touch softer as limited fresh inquiry from the Continent and Mediterranean pushed owners to seek cover elsewhere, creating some drag on US Gulf rates, while East Coast South America held broadly steady with balanced supply and demand. By contrast, the Pacific continued to show healthier momentum, with solid coal, mineral, and regional repositioning demand supporting firm fixtures and pushing the Baltic Supramax Index up to 1,484. Handysize sentiment was similarly well supported, despite limited reported fixtures; rates in the US Gulf and ECSA continued to firm, and ample fresh inquiry across the Asian basin kept owners confident, reflected in the Baltic Handysize Index edging up to 781.

In the Panamax sector, Atlantic grain runs continued to command a premium over ore, although overall rates remained capped by ample tonnage-particularly in the North Atlantic-while ECSA eased marginally on last done levels despite healthy NCSA inquiry. In the Pacific, a steady flow of NoPac, Indonesian, and Australian cargoes helped absorb supply and prevent oversupply, even as the Baltic Panamax Index slipped slightly to 1,971. Capesize markets were mixed, with firmer North Atlantic demand offsetting softer conditions in the South Atlantic and Pacific, where declining C5 levels contrasted with a higher Baltic Capesize Index close at 4,356.

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