Charter rates recorded sharp falls last week, with the negative sentiment in the freight markets finally filtering through to the charter market. With freight rates rapidly collapsing across all tradelanes, charter rates are belatedly catching up with further rate falls to follow given the rising number of vessels available spot and on a prompt basis. Shorter period charters of up to 6 months are no longer commanding any premiums over 12 month rates, while the gap on 24 month rates are also na