Ultramax: capacity, parcel fit and freight-planning use
CharterPulse uses an approximately 63,000 DWT Ultramax as a planning class for Southeast Asian dry-bulk voyages. It is a comparison basis—not a promise that a specific Ultramax can lift the parcel, enter the ports or is currently open.
On the CharterPulse nominal 63,000 DWT basis, a 50,000 MT parcel is about 79.4% of nominal DWT. That sits inside the model's strong first-pass utilisation band, so Ultramax is a sensible class to compare against Supramax and Panamax before checking the actual ship and ports.
Current CharterPulse Ultramax model defaults
| Model input | Planning default | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal DWT | 63,000 | Class-level comparison value, not guaranteed cargo intake. |
| Speed | 12.4 kn | Used to convert modeled distance into sea days. |
| Fuel/day | 27 MT | Planning fuel assumption used in voyage-cost modeling. |
| Daily vessel cost | US$15,800/day | CharterPulse planning default, not a live hire indication. |
| Class factor | 1.00 | Reference class factor inside the current estimator. |
These are transparent CharterPulse model assumptions. They are not current charter rates, guaranteed vessel performance or specifications for a nominated ship.
Parcel utilisation on the 63,000 DWT planning basis
| Cargo parcel | Parcel / nominal DWT | First-pass interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 40,000 MT | 63.5% | Plenty of nominal spare DWT; compare whether a smaller class is more efficient. |
| 45,000 MT | 71.4% | Useful Ultramax comparison range. |
| 50,000 MT | 79.4% | Strong first-pass utilisation in the CharterPulse heuristic. |
| 55,000 MT | 87.3% | Workable on nominal DWT, but actual intake margin deserves closer checking. |
Supramax vs Ultramax for a 50,000 MT stem
| Supramax | Ultramax | |
|---|---|---|
| CharterPulse nominal DWT | 55,000 | 63,000 |
| 50,000 MT / nominal DWT | 90.9% | 79.4% |
| Planning implication | Closer to nominal capacity; intake/draft margin becomes more important. | More nominal capacity margin while staying in a mid-size geared class. |
| Commercial question | Which actual ship fits the ports, cargo, laycan and market at the better all-in economics? | |
Ultramax does not automatically win because it has more DWT. A Supramax positioned nearby can still be commercially stronger; an Ultramax can lose its theoretical advantage if the terminal cannot exploit the extra intake, if draft is tight, or if waiting/positioning costs are worse.
Where Ultramax commonly enters the CharterPulse comparison
Often worth comparing for mid-size Indonesia-to-Philippines stems, especially around the 45–55k MT range.
Dense cargoes can make draft and terminal capability as important as nominal DWT.
Hold volume and stowage can become binding before deadweight; nominal DWT is only one constraint.
Actual crane/grab configuration and terminal equipment still need to be checked vessel by vessel.
Routes where the class is worth testing
Banjarmasin → Subic
Compare Ultramax against adjacent classes with route and Subic intelligence.
Samarinda → Manila
Test vessel economics and destination-port context.
Indonesia → Philippines
Open the full canonical route cluster.
What must still be confirmed on the real vessel
Actual deadweight at the relevant draft, summer/tropical marks, bunkers and stores, hold capacity, cargo density/stowage, crane and grab configuration, hatch/hold particulars, speed/consumption warranties, port draft, berth restrictions, loading/discharge productivity and current vessel position.
Frequently asked planning questions
Is an Ultramax suitable for 50,000 MT of coal?
It is a strong first-pass class to compare: 50,000 MT is about 79.4% of CharterPulse's nominal 63,000 DWT Ultramax basis. That does not replace an actual intake calculation or port check.
When should I compare Supramax instead?
Compare both when the parcel can plausibly fit either class. Supramax may benefit from vessel position or port flexibility; Ultramax may offer more intake margin. The estimator is designed to expose that trade-off before a live market check.
Is the US$15,800/day figure a current Ultramax market rate?
No. It is a CharterPulse model input used to make the planning calculation transparent. Current hire economics and owner ideas require live market evidence.
Related CharterPulse intelligence
Estimator methodology · Modeled freight vs live market · Data & source rules