asked the Minister for Communications the estimated world freight rates for deep-sea shipping operations in 1984; and the corresponding actual rates since 1977.
Written Answers. - Deep-Sea Freight Rates.
As the reply is mainly in the form of a tabular statement I propose to circulate it in the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
Freight rates are constantly changing and vary as between cargoes, types of ships, routes and other factors. The following are, however, indicative rates for the period covered by the question:—
February 1977 |
Panamax |
$2,500 per day |
(60—72,000 dwt) |
||
Handisized |
$3,700 per day |
|
(28—32,000 dwt) |
||
February 1979 |
Panamax |
$8,420 per day |
Handisized |
$6,330 per day |
|
February 1981 |
Panamax |
$18,000 per day |
Handisized |
$8,500 per day |
|
February 1984 |
Panamax |
$4,120 per day |
Handisized |
$4,000 per day |
|
November 1984 |
Panamax |
$5,600 per day |
Handisized |
$3,850 per day |
The latest available time trip charter index compiled by the General Council of British Shipping follows:
Tramp Trip Charter Index (Year 1976 = 100)
Combined Index Figure
1977 |
1978 |
1979 |
1980 |
1981 |
1982 |
1983 |
1984 |
|
January |
86 |
86 |
119 |
207 |
234 |
114 |
89 |
100 |
February |
90 |
90 |
120 |
217 |
227 |
111 |
91 |
97 |
March |
89 |
92 |
129 |
247 |
211 |
131 |
108 |
106 |
April |
90 |
100 |
149 |
275 |
214 |
137 |
104 |
111 |
May |
86 |
118 |
166 |
269 |
209 |
131 |
115 |
115 |
June |
85 |
119 |
187 |
270 |
204 |
118 |
111 |
107 |
July |
77 |
104 |
190 |
234 |
191 |
88 |
89 |
94 |
August |
79 |
105 |
181 |
217 |
172 |
79 |
91 |
103 |
September |
82 |
122 |
183 |
220 |
154 |
85 |
89 |
100 |
October |
86 |
122 |
214 |
206 |
154 |
95 |
92 |
104 |
November |
89 |
134 |
235 |
237 |
143 |
94 |
104 |
113 |
December |
90 |
123 |
239 |
233 |
135 |
97 |
98 |
The above index takes no account of inflation.