Weekly Freight Recap: 18 July, 2024
Jul 18, 2024
PANAMAX
Atlantic: The Panamax market in the Atlantic region showed mixed activity this week. While there were reports of tight tonnage counts on the Continent/Mediterranean routes leading to slight rate increases, EC South America faced pressure, influencing the market sentiment. Overall, the market maintained a stable outlook with cautious optimism.
Pacific: In the Pacific, the Panamax market benefited from increased grain loadings and seasonal Black Sea volumes, supporting market conditions. However, Asia experienced subdued activity due to a national holiday in Japan. The market remains balanced, with expectations of sustained performance in the coming weeks.
SUPRAMAX
Atlantic: Supramax markets in the Atlantic displayed varied trends. While there was softening observed in the Continent and Mediterranean regions due to limited fresh enquiries, the US Gulf region saw healthy demand. Expansion of tonnage lists added pressure to prompt levels, particularly in front haul routes. The South Atlantic reported reduced demand, impacting prompt vessel rates. Despite challenges, market sentiment remains cautiously optimistic.
Pacific: In the Pacific, Supramax market dynamics were influenced by increased backhaul demand and cautious owner behavior regarding fixations. Rates remained stable, reflecting a balanced market condition with expectations for future activity.
HANDYSIZE
Atlantic: The Handysize sector saw modest gains, with a focus on the Atlantic region. Limited fresh enquiries across the Continent and Mediterranean persisted. In the South Atlantic, there was increased demand for vessels scheduled for end-July dates, reflecting positive sentiment in the market.
Pacific: Handysize activity in the Pacific region was characterized by steady performance and increased demand for backhaul trips. Owners' reluctance to fix ships for such routes positively impacted implied rates, underscoring a balanced market outlook in Asia.
Weekly Recaps
Freight
Freight Recap:
04/12/25
Dec 04, 2025
The dry bulk market saw a generally mixed performance, with Handysize remaining supported in the Atlantic, Supramax showing uneven movement across regions, and Panamax continuing its correction as rising vessel supply weighed on sentiment. Atlantic dynamics were split between firmer US Gulf/US East Coast activity in the smaller segments and softer conditions for Panamax. In the Pacific, muted enquiry and longer lists contributed to a softer tone, especially in NoPac, though isolated strength persisted in Australian coal.
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
24-28/11/25 Agri
Dec 01, 2025
Wheat opened the week lower after Saudi Arabia’s tender came in sharply priced, while soybeans and corn also finished slightly weaker. Market reaction to the Trump–Xi call remained muted, particularly for soybeans, where repeated political signals have not delivered the expected demand. Saudi Arabia’s GFSA bought 300k tons of wheat for March–April arrival at $257.96–$259.74/t CnF, roughly $5–$5.50 below the previous tender, with February slots skipped. Russian 12.5% protein wheat eased by $1 to $228/t FOB according to IKAR, and MARS reported that winter-cereal sowing in Europe is largely complete under mostly favorable conditions. US winter wheat conditions improved to 48% good/excellent, two points above the five-year average.
USDA confirmed private sales of 123k tons of US soybeans to China, bringing known 25/26 sales to 1.94 mmt, with an additional 0.62 mmt sold to “unknown” since October. Weekly US export inspections showed 799k tons of soybeans, 1,632k tons of corn, and 475k tons of wheat. No soybeans were shipped to China, leaving total inspections well behind last year’s levels.
Freight
Freight Recap:
27/11/25
Nov 27, 2025
The dry bulk market showed a mostly subdued performance, with Handysize and Supramax sentiment remaining soft across both basins and Panamax maintaining a firm, steady tone driven by continued grain activity. The Atlantic saw mixed conditions, with smaller segments facing limited enquiry while Panamax benefitted from solid U.S. Gulf and East Coast support. In the Pacific, Handy/Supra sectors stayed muted, whereas Panamax demand from Indonesia and Japan kept momentum intact despite some easing in Chinese interest.
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
17-21/11/25 Agri
Nov 24, 2025
The rebound in soybeans and Chicago wheat was even more impressive than Friday’s plunge, driven this time by actual Chinese purchases rather than political promises. US wheat rallied alongside soybeans on talk of Chinese demand, though without confirmation that wheat was included, while MATIF wheat lagged despite a weaker EUR/USD. USDA corrected Friday’s missing flash sales by trimming US soybean sales to China by 100k tons, yet sentiment stayed upbeat on reports that China bought at least 14 US cargoes. NOPA reported a record October crush of 227.65 mbu, suggesting stronger domestic use may offset some export weakness. Weekly inspections showed soybeans at 1,176k tons, corn at 2,054k tons, and wheat at 247k tons; cumulative soybean inspections remain down 7.5 mmt y/y while corn is up 6.7 mmt.
Russian 12.5% wheat FOB for late December fell $3 w/w to $229/t, while Poland reported sabotage on a key rail line used to send aid and weapons to Ukraine. Based on cumulative inspections so far this marketing year, wheat needs to maintain last year’s pace to meet USDA’s export forecast, soybeans need to accelerate, and corn could afford to slow.
