In Week 39, 2025 the Handysize market remains stable on the back of limited tonnage, while the Coaster segment stays tight due to delays at the Kerch Strait passage.

In the Handysize segment (~35k DWT), rates hold last week’s levels. A mild cooling of demand is offset by a shortage of spot positions across the Black Sea and the Marmara region, keeping the market broadly unchanged without a clear correction.

In the Coaster segment (~5k DWT), conditions remain strained. Weather-related factors and additional inspections in the Kerch Strait cause transit delays, forcing Owners to provide load-port ETAs with up to a 10-day margin. This supports rates on key lanes and creates upward pressure on select routes.

Key takeaways of the week

• Handysize: stable rates on Novorossiysk—Mersin/Alexandria/Morocco/Bangladesh; balance supported by limited tonnage.
• Coaster: delays at the passage strengthen Owners’ position; Astrakhan shows upward movement.