Spot rates for handysize bulkers kept their upward momentum on Wednesday as those for the larger assets declined and pulled down the overall market. The handysize 7TC, a spot-rate average weighted across seven routes, has improved steadily by 76% since 15 April to $31,602 per day, according to the Baltic Exchange.

Meanwhile, the Baltic Dry Index lost 64 points over the past two days to land at 3,154 points on Wednesday amid declining spot rates for capesizes and panamaxes. The capesize 5TC slipped 2.7% in the same period to $31,755 per day on Wednesday. The panamax 5TC dipped 3.2% to $31.634 per day.

“It seems this is another steady week showing stable numbers on the handy vessels,” H Vogemann said in a note. Imperial has fixed the 32,453-dwt Taizhou Pioneer (built 2011) for a trip from the Europe Continent via the Baltic to Egypt and the Mediterranean at $22,000 per day.

“The general feel of positivity continues in most areas with the only negative move in East Coast South America where activity has been limited of late,” the Baltic Exchange said in its daily report on the dry bulk market. “The Black Sea grain season remains active, and levels have been improving. Asia has seen more activity in general and sentiment is improving.”

Supramaxes are also seeing spot rates on the rise, but not the steady rate upswing that the handysizes have had. The supramax 10TC has been improving only since 16 July, having gained 4.9% to reach $32,026 per day on Wednesday.