Weekly Freight Recap: 22/08/24
Aug 22, 2024
PANAMAX
Atlantic: Tonnage availability in the Atlantic continues to expand, pushing rates down as owners chase diminishing market opportunities. The Continent remains particularly soft, with lower levels of activity leading to further rate erosion. The South Atlantic also weakened, with minimal fresh cargoes reported. Owners are becoming increasingly concerned, considering repositioning options as market sentiment remains bearish.
Pacific: The Pacific market saw some recovery in activity, with reports of increased demand for Indonesian round voyages, helping to stabilize the region's balance. However, despite these improvements, overall sentiment remains weak. The index continued to slide due to insufficient positive momentum. Market participants are closely watching the potential impact of upcoming grain and coal demand, which could shift dynamics in the coming weeks.
SUPRAMAX
Atlantic: The Atlantic Supramax market remains lackluster, with limited fresh inquiries and rates seeing little support. The Continent and Mediterranean regions struggled amid a continued summer lull, and the US Gulf saw stronger discussions for larger fronthaul cargoes, though fixing details remain scarce. The South Atlantic, while steady, still lacks the push needed for significant rate improvement, leading to a cautiously pessimistic outlook.
Pacific: In the Pacific, activity has slowed, especially in the southern regions, with earlier gains now appearing to level off. Increased tonnage availability has put further pressure on rates, leading to limited optimism. Indonesian and Australian cargo flows showed some resilience, but overall, the market remains largely stagnant. Market players are waiting for a potential uplift later in the year, although visibility remains low for now.
HANDYSIZE
Atlantic: The Handysize market saw limited activity across the Continent and Mediterranean, with sentiment remaining soft amid minimal fresh inquiries. The South Atlantic remains flat, with few cargoes emerging to absorb the tonnage. In the US Gulf, the imbalance between cargo and tonnage persists, keeping rates under pressure as fixing opportunities dwindle. Owners face a challenging environment with little expectation of an immediate improvement.
Pacific: The Pacific market showed marginal improvement, aided by slightly better cargo availability from Australia and Indonesia. However, the rise in activity has done little to reverse the overall downward trend, with tonnage availability still exceeding demand. The market remains cautious, with owners hoping for a more sustained rebound later in the year, though current visibility remains limited.
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.
