Weekly Freight Recap: 25/04/24
Apr 25, 2024
PANAMAX
Atlantic: Activity decreased in the North Atlantic, with most recent cargoes covered, indicating potential rate adjustments downward. However, the ECSA remained relatively steady with decent demand projected from mid-May.
Pacific: Signs of weakening were observed, especially from Indonesia, due to a seasonal dip in coal demand. Despite a stable tonnage count, a lack of bids cast uncertainty on the true market value.
SUPRAMAX
Atlantic: Healthy activity levels were observed across the basin for geared sizes. Markets continued to push, albeit stronger than seasonality suggests. Signs of market flattening were noted, with expectations of a sideways trend in the near future.
Pacific: After days of lackluster activity, an increase in cargo volumes from ECSA was observed. Improved commodity prices are expected to bring more cargoes into the market in the coming weeks. Period market remains strong, with major operators scouting for long period tonnage.
HANDYSIZE
Atlantic: Pressure mounted on prompt tonnage, with limited fresh enquiry reported. While stability prevailed, there were indications of potential rate adjustments as activity slowed in the South Atlantic.
Pacific: Positivity remained evident, with a steady flow of fresh enquiry across all loading regions. Owners continued to see small gains, indicating a relatively stable market in the Asia region.
Weekly Recaps
Freight
Freight Recap:
05/06/25
Jun 05, 2025
The Panamax Atlantic market showed signs of a strong rebound, especially in both the North and South where firmer bids and tightening tonnage contributed to rising sentiment. Fixtures suggested that some charterers may have overplayed their hand, triggering a jump in rates
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
26–30 /5/25 Agri
Jun 02, 2025
Monday opened quietly in Europe as U.S. markets remained closed for Memorial Day. MATIF wheat traded lower in thin volumes, but losses were limited by concerns over dry conditions in France and rising temperatures in Russia. The May JRC MARS Bulletin painted a mixed EU crop outlook, nudging soft wheat yield estimates slightly higher but trimming rapeseed expectations. Meanwhile, geopolitical noise grew louder with President Trump mulling new sanctions against Russia, and Germany lifting range restrictions on Ukrainian strikes using Western weapons.
Freight
Freight Recap:
29/05/25
May 29, 2025
The Atlantic market struggled with weak sentiment throughout the week. Following recent holidays, demand remained soft and fresh cargoes were limited, particularly in the North. In the South, while some fixing activity was noted, oversupply of ships continued to weigh heavily on rates. Owners faced increasing pressure as charterers held firm, and some vessels were reported fixing below last done.
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
19-23/5/25 Agri
May 26, 2025
Grain markets exhibited volatility throughout Week 21, with wheat prices leading a mid-week rally before easing slightly into the weekend. Early in the week, MATIF milling wheat weakened in response to Saudi Arabia’s tender, which confirmed continued preference for competitively priced Black Sea wheat. Meanwhile, CBOT futures found strength, buoyed by a broader risk-on sentiment in financial markets after a brief dip following Moody’s downgrade of the U.S. credit rating. U.S. corn inspections came in strong, and planting progress remained well ahead of the five-year average, though winter wheat conditions unexpectedly declined. On the geopolitical front, markets briefly reacted to the news of prospective ceasefire talks between Ukraine and Russia, although subsequent clarifications tempered expectations.
