Panamax operators are eager to fix in tonnage as the period market tries to catch up with a peaking spot market, which is near a three-year high.

Some owners and operators are feeling the sting of being left behind by the formerly sluggish market.

Chartering brokers say one Japanese kamsarmax newbuilding has been fixed this week straight out of the yard at $16,000 per day for 12 months by an international charterer.