Weekly Freight Recap: 25/07/24
Jul 25, 2024
PANAMAX
Atlantic: The Atlantic Panamax market showed strength with tightening tonnage in the North Atlantic and additional cargoes in the South Atlantic. Notable fixtures included a vessel fixed for a North Coast South America to Skaw-Barcelona trip at a premium rate. The East Coast South America (ECSA) region remained stable, trading around 16,500/17,000 BKI. Although overall activity was subdued, the North Continent saw slight gains, supported by steady demand for Black Sea grain.
Pacific: In the Pacific, Panamax conditions were balanced despite potential disruptions from Typhoon Gaemi. Increased cargo flows and slightly longer tonnage lists were reported. Key fixtures included a North Pacific trip to the Singapore-Japan range and an East Coast Australia to Japan trip. Delays and port closures in China had minimal impact, with owners hopeful for continued market activity.
SUPRAMAX
Atlantic: The Atlantic Supramax market faced mixed fortunes with limited fresh inquiries from the Continent and Mediterranean. US Gulf fronthaul requirements lost momentum, but the South Atlantic showed resilience with stronger levels for later dates. Notable fixtures included a Texas to India petcoke trip and fresh orders for sulphur cargoes, supporting a positive outlook.
Pacific: In Asia, the Supramax market remained healthy with improved cargo volumes and limited prompt tonnage. Noteworthy fixtures included a North China to Arabian Gulf trip and a backhaul to the US Gulf. Indonesian and Southeast Asian markets saw rates around 18,000/19,000 levels for China-bound trips. Increased demand for period tonnage, particularly for Supramax and Ultramax sizes, reflected optimism.
HANDYSIZE
Atlantic:The Atlantic Handysize market was quiet, with limited activity and a marginal increase in the Baltic Handysize Index (BHSI). The Continent and Mediterranean slowed due to a lack of fresh inquiries, but the South Atlantic improved as vessel lists tightened. Notable fixtures included a Recalada to Morocco grain trip. US Gulf sentiment remained positive, driven by a tonnage-to-cargo imbalance.
Pacific: In the Pacific, the Handysize market faced softer tones with limited cargo availability from Australia and Indonesia. Activity was restrained, with notable fixtures including a Caribbean to Iceland trip. The general outlook remained cautious, with owners and charterers hoping for a more balanced supply-demand scenario.
Weekly Recaps
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
08-12/09/25 Agri
Sep 15, 2025
The week opened with wheat leading a modest rally, Kansas futures gaining more than 2% in what appeared to be an overdue correction in an oversold market. Chicago and MATIF contracts followed with smaller advances, while corn and soybeans also firmed ahead of the US crop progress update and Friday’s WASDE. Despite the bounce, trading volumes suggested short liquidation in wheat had not yet begun in earnest. Sovecon raised its 2025 Russian wheat forecast to 86.1 mmt, broadly matching IKAR, while US crop ratings slipped only marginally. Export inspections painted a mixed picture, with corn and soybeans steady but wheat sharply lower.
Freight
Freight Recap:
11/09/25
Sep 11, 2025
The dry bulk freight market maintained a firm tone this week, with Handysize, Supramax, and Panamax indices all showing gains.
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
01-04/09/25 Agri
Sep 08, 2025
Grain markets remained under pressure last week, with wheat leading losses as both C-B-O-T and MATIF contracts hit fresh multi-year lows on ample global supply and weak demand. Corn was more resilient, briefly reaching a six-week high before retreating as short covering faded, while soybeans slid throughout the week on poor export demand and the continued absence of Chinese buying. Broader financial market weakness added to bearish sentiment, and traders now look ahead to key macro events — U.S. inflation data, the ECB rate decision, and Friday’s USDA WASDE report.
