Dirty Baltic-UKC Handysize freight market at 5-week high on thin tonnage

Dirty Baltic-UK Continent Handysize freight rose 5 Worldscale points to be assessed at w140 Friday, its highest in 5 weeks, with prices to engage tankers on that route carrying 30,000 mt fuel oil cargoes firming on the back of thin tonnage, sources said.
The route was last at w140 on June 21, Platts data shows.
A Scorpio Tankers vessel was heard on subs to Shell loading out of the UKC on August 2 to the Med at w140. Scorpio confirmed the details, adding there were few cargoes to be covered for the end of July loading dates.
One of the sources said: "There are delays in Antwerp at the moment, and thin tonnage for the end of July and early August."
Two shipowners pegged the rates on the Baltic-UKC and UKC-Med within the w140-145 range for 30,000 mt cargoes.
Fuel oil traders said the Baltic-UKC route remained busy. Russian fuel oil exports were close to all-time monthly highs, although these often find their way into ARA on larger vessels.
Source: Platts