Weekly Freight Recap: 05/09/24
Sep 05, 2024
PANAMAX
Atlantic: This week, The Panamax market shows potential for improvement as vessels head to the U.S. for the grain season. However, recovery is slow, with an oversupply of tonnage in the North Atlantic and limited demand, particularly for transatlantic routes. The U.S. Gulf offers better prospects for fronthaul routes, but South American volumes remain uncertain in the near term.
Pacific: Coal demand remains low, though mineral demand from Australia and Indonesia has seen some improvement. Despite this, the overall market is sluggish, with owners holding out for better conditions. There has been some period activity, but the market remains subdued.
SUPRAMAX
Atlantic: The Supramax market remains quiet, with limited cargo volumes and a slow start to the grain season. Tonnage oversupply persists across the Atlantic, with fewer cargoes from the Mediterranean and Continent regions. Fresh demand in the U.S. Gulf and South Atlantic remains minimal, keeping rates soft. While period demand is steady, spot market activity is low.
Pacific: Limited cargo volumes and an oversupply of tonnage. As the monsoon season ends, more cargoes are expected in the Indian Ocean region. Demand from the U.S. Gulf and South Atlantic is weak, and rates remain below recent levels. In Asia, the market is balanced but with a growing list of prompt tonnage.
HANDYSIZE
Atlantic: The Handysize market continues to see slow activity, with long tonnage lists and minimal demand in the Continent and Mediterranean. The South Atlantic remains quiet, leading to downward rate adjustments as owners reposition. Fresh demand in the U.S. Gulf has slowed, adding pressure on rates due to a growing tonnage list.
Pacific: In Asia, the Handysize market softened as available tonnage increased and general activity slowed across the region.
Weekly Recaps
Freight
Freight Recap:
20/11/25
Nov 20, 2025
The dry bulk market showed a steady but uneven performance, with Handysize activity quiet, Supramax maintaining a firm underlying tone, and Panamax supported by stronger fundamentals in both basins. The Atlantic remained broadly stable, supported by positional tightness in some regions, while the Pacific held steady despite lighter fixing. Period and voyage activity continued across segments, reflecting balanced supply and demand dynamics.
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
10-14/11/25 Agri
Nov 17, 2025
Grain markets firmed at the start of the week as headlines about a possible end to the U.S. government shutdown lifted CBOT futures, while European wheat lagged and improved EU export competitiveness. Market participants noted that, without fresh supportive catalysts, the rally might prove short-lived. Average trade estimates placed U.S. corn and soybean harvests at 92% and 96% complete, with winter wheat 95% planted and 52% good/excellent, though official USDA data remained unavailable due to the shutdown.
Egypt’s state buyer Mostakbal Misr was reported to have bought around 500k tons of wheat for late December–January delivery, including roughly 200k tons from Russia. Russian 12.5% FOB wheat closed last week at $232/t, slightly up on the week. Brazil’s 25/26 corn crop was forecast by Safras at 143.6 mmt, well above USDA’s September estimate. U.S. export inspections showed solid corn and soybean volumes but cumulative soybean loadings remained 6.4 mmt behind last year.
Freight
Freight Recap:
13/11/25
Nov 13, 2025
The dry bulk market showed a mixed performance, with Handysize activity remaining limited, Supramax maintaining firmer sentiment, and Panamax extending its gains on stronger fundamentals. The Atlantic generally held a positive tone across most segments, while the Pacific remained steady but slower, with Asian Handysize and Supramax markets facing softer enquiry and longer tonnage lists. Period interest persisted in both Supramax and Panamax sectors, supported by balanced fundamentals and improving demand signals.
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
03-07/11/25 Agri
Nov 10, 2025
Soybeans extended their rally on expectations of accelerating Chinese demand, while rumors of U.S. wheat sales to China lifted Chicago futures. Corn stayed firm after StoneX raised its U.S. yield estimate to 186.0 bu/acre, though many still expect revisions lower in upcoming reports. Harvest progress reached 91% for soybeans and 83% for corn, with winter wheat planting nearly complete at 91%.
Export inspections totaled 965k t of soybeans, 1.67 mmt of corn, and 350k t of wheat—broadly in line with expectations. Despite easing trade tensions, Chinese importers continued booking cheaper Brazilian soybeans, reportedly 20 cargoes for December through mid-2026. Kazakhstan’s agriculture ministry reported a 27.1 mmt total harvest, including 20.3 mmt of wheat, far above USDA’s 16 mmt estimate.
