The average spot rate for capesize bulkers took a giant leap on Thursday, leading a dry bulk sector that has been on the rise since Monday. The capesize 5TC, a spot-rate average across five key routes, jumped 26% to $15,789 per day, according to the Baltic Exchange. That figure has gone up 66% since Monday, while the panamax 5TC has improved 24% and the supramax 7TC rose 26% over the same period. “It was an active day in both [Atlantic and Pacific] basins,” exchange analysts wrote in their daily take on the dry bulk market. “Plenty transatlantic enquiry circulated in the market today.”

The exchange reported 22 spot fixtures on Thursday, including Singapore operator Pacbulk Shipping’s hire of compatriot Berge Bulk’s 175,900-dwt Berge Rinjani (built 2010) to move 170,000 tons of ore from West Australia to Qingdao, China. Berge Bulk is getting paid $8.60 per tonne to ship the commodity after it is loaded from 26 to 28 February. Fortescue Metals Group fixed an unnamed capesize to carry 160,000 tons of iron ore from Port Hedland, Australia, to Qingdao at $7 per tonne, with loading set for 21 to 23 February.

It was a busier day for small and mid-size ships, such as Tsakos Shipping and Trading’s 81,800-dwt Psarros D (built 2019). Umang Shipping Services hired the kamsarmax to make a voyage from China to India at $18,500 per day after loading it on Thursday and Friday.