A sharp spike in fixing at the end of last week has given way to a noticeably quieter market this week, according to a Fearnleys A.S market note republished by reports on 23 September 2026.
Fearnleys reported that the aggressive activity which sent Fujairah–GOO eastbound cargoes into the WS 800s in the previous week has subsided, with fewer headline fixtures and reduced urgency among counterparties. The broker’s summary, as carried by reports, said the market has calmed after that intense burst of fixing.
This retreat from last week’s peak leaves charterers and owners assessing recent moves and their immediate consequences. Participants who were active during the surge will be weighing short-term earnings against the risk of renewed volatility, while those who sat out may seek clarity before re-engaging.
Market rhythm and immediate effects
The report underlines a return to a steadier trading rhythm following an outsize period of activity. With the sharp upward pressure easing, the near-term outlook for rates shows less momentum than the previous, frenetic sessions.
The reduced volume of headline fixtures noted by Fearnleys suggests a provisional pause in the bidding that had briefly driven eastbound Fujairah trades into exceptionally high WS levels. How long that pause endures will determine whether the market normalises or simply rests before another spike.
What the calm means for chartering desks
For chartering teams, the calmer conditions provide an opportunity to re-evaluate positions taken during the surge without the immediate pressure of rolling enquiry. Risk managers and commercial staff will be watching whether owners begin to fix forward or whether charterers use the lull to place cover at more moderate levels.
The change in tempo, as described by Fearnleys and relayed by reports, is a reminder of how quickly sentiment can shift in a concentrated fixing window and how transient extremes can be when market drivers momentarily align.
A single-week swing from a fixing frenzy into a quieter market emphasises the episodic nature of contemporary chartering activity. Brokers, operators and charterers alike will take signals from this episode, but the market’s next direction will depend on fresh enquiry and the balance of vessel supply and cargo demand in the coming days.