LaycanDeskPanamax & Kamsarmax Chartering
65–85,000 dwt gearless bulkers for coal, ore, grain and mineral cargoes between equipped ports. Gearless Panamax and Kamsarmax tonnage for full cargoes of coal, iron ore, magnesite, grain and fertilizer between ports with shore loading and discharge, on the South Africa–China, Black Sea, Indonesia–India and Atlantic lanes.
Panamaxes run from about 65,000 to 80,000 dwt and Kamsarmaxes, named for the maximum length that fits Port Kamsar in Guinea, from about 80,000 to 85,000 dwt. They are gearless, so they trade only between ports with shore loaders and grabs or conveyors, and they carry full cargoes rather than parcels: 60,000 to 80,000 tonnes of coal, ore, grain or minerals in one lift. Seven holds and a draft of around 14 metres put them into the main bulk terminals of South Africa, Australia, the Black Sea, the US Gulf and South America and into the big receiving ports of China, India and the Med.
A Panamax stem is priced on the loading and discharge rates at equipped terminals, the draft available on the laycan dates, and any option between discharge ports, which owners price at the worse of the two unless the declaration date is fixed. When a charterer sends us a full-cargo enquiry, those are the points we settle before it goes to owners, together with the IMSBC schedule and moisture certificates for any Group A cargo. Owners and operators with Panamax and Kamsarmax tonnage opening in the Indian Ocean, South Africa or the Black Sea are the positions we run stems against.
Cargoes
- Coal
- Iron ore and magnesite
- Grains and soybeans
- Bauxite and minerals
- Fertilizer in full cargoes
Lanes we work
- South Africa (Coega, Richards Bay) to China and India
- Black Sea grain to the Med and Asia
- Indonesia and Australia to India
- US Gulf and South America to Asia
Questions charterers and owners ask
When is a Panamax the wrong ship?
Whenever either port has no shore gear, or the cargo is under about 55,000 tonnes. A gearless Panamax cannot work an anchorage or a break-bulk berth; a geared Supramax or Ultramax does that trade. For full cargoes between equipped terminals, the Panamax is usually the cheaper ship per tonne.
What is a Kamsarmax?
A Panamax built to the maximum length that fits Port Kamsar in Guinea, about 229 metres, which gives 80,000 to 85,000 dwt. They trade everywhere a Panamax does and carry a few thousand tonnes more.
What do you need for a Panamax enquiry?
Cargo, quantity with the tolerance and whose option it is, the IMSBC schedule and any TML certificates, load and discharge ports with the draft available on the laycan, load and discharge rates and laytime terms, laycan, commission and the charterer's name. With those, the enquiry goes to owners the same day.
Do you fix Panamax period charters?
Yes, trip time charter and short period both. Send the delivery and redelivery areas, the intended trade and the duration, and we come back with named ships and hire ideas.