Weekly Freight Recap: 20/06/24
Jun 20, 2024
PANAMAX
Atlantic: The Panamax market in the Atlantic basin faced a continued downturn, lacking substantial activity. South American routes, in particular, saw increased ballaster tonnage, leading to nervous sentiment among charterers who either retracted bids or offered significantly lower rates. Minimal fresh cargo from North America also contributed to the softness, resulting in owners accepting reduced rates to secure employment. Although there was a slight increase in grain and mineral activities towards the end of the week, it was insufficient to boost the market significantly.
Pacific: The Panamax market similarly suffered from declining values in the Pacific. The bid/offer gap remained wide, particularly for longer trips from the northern region, as charterers maintained a firm stance. Southern areas, such as Indonesia, saw an easing market, reflecting the overall downward trend. Despite a muted start to the week due to holidays, the market sentiment remains cautiously optimistic for a potential upturn driven by seasonal trends and anticipated grain shipments from the Black Sea.
SUPRAMAX
Atlantic: The Supramax market experienced a relatively stable week with healthy activity levels across the Atlantic basin. However, the lack of new cargo from the US Gulf exerted downward pressure on rates. The Continent-Mediterranean region remained optimistic, with brokers reporting stronger numbers from South America, albeit with some influence from the weaker Panamax sector. Grain and mineral shipments balanced the market despite little room for rate improvement. US Gulf fixtures saw stabilization, with notable rates for transatlantic routes and trades to the Mediterranean and Continent.
Pacific: The Supramax market displayed a more robust sentiment in the Pacific. While backhaul cargo pressure from the north had slightly slowed, the southern routes showed better numbers, particularly from Indonesia. The Indian Ocean and South African markets remained stable, with consistent rates. The Pacific market overall held steady, with Pacific coal round voyages achieving moderate rates. The general sentiment was that while current activities supported the market, increased cargo volume would be necessary to sustain or improve rates.
HANDYSIZE
Atlantic: The Handysize market in the Atlantic was led by significant gains in the US Gulf, where owners benefitted from a lack of prompt tonnage. This resulted in substantial rate increases, particularly for two to three-laden legs with Atlantic redelivery. The Continent and Mediterranean regions also saw continued resurgence with modest gains, while the South Atlantic faced softening due to limited enquiry and growing tonnage lists.
Pacific: The Handysize market remained balanced with a healthy cargo list in the Pacific. However, more fresh enquiries would be needed to maintain the current status. Despite this balance, there was no significant rate improvement, with the market relying on steady demand to keep rates from declining. Overall, the Handysize sector showed stability but with cautious optimism dependent on future cargo volumes.
Weekly Recaps
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
01-05/12/25 Agri
Dec 08, 2025
USDA announced no new flash sales, disappointing soybean markets. Weekly export sales remain delayed and have not yet reached the period covering the US–China trade deal, leaving the true pace of buying uncertain. CBOT corn and wheat eased, while March MATIF wheat posted small gains after finding support at intraday contract lows. ABARES raised Australia’s 2025/26 wheat, barley, and canola output, though the increases were broadly in line with expectations. Algeria’s OAIC issued a soft wheat tender for February shipment, and Russian wheat prices slipped again, with 12.5% FOB for January at $227/t.
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.
