Weekly Freight Recap: 29/08/24
Aug 29, 2024
PANAMAX
Atlantic: This week, the Panamax market saw continued weakness, with little activity and no significant changes. The Atlantic basin experienced persistent long tonnage lists, leading to further rate declines as new inquiries remained scarce. While there is potential for improvement next month due to the US grain season, increased Indian coal demand, and Brazilian corn shipments, the current market remains subdued.
Pacific: The market was more balanced, though still quiet. Some owners are considering repositioning to East Coast South America rather than committing to Indonesian round voyages, reflecting the limited opportunities. With demand from key loading regions softening further, potential improvement hinges on factors like a rebound in China's steel sector, which could lead to increased coal imports.
SUPRAMAX
Atlantic: The market had a mixed week. The US Gulf saw slight rate improvements due to increased activity, while the South Atlantic offered limited options, leading to softer sentiment in the Continent and Mediterranean as tonnage availability grew. The market is in a holding pattern, with participants anticipating further adjustments before any potential upswing.
Pacific: The market remained largely unchanged, with both owners and charterers showing restraint. Low Chinese coal demand continued to influence the market, and activity was minimal as most players are waiting for more decisive signals before making moves.
HANDYSIZE
Atlantic: The Handysize market experienced a quiet week, with limited activity and softening rates. The Continent and Mediterranean regions were particularly slow, with few new inquiries, while the South Atlantic also saw reduced momentum. However, the US Gulf displayed some positive signs as fresh demand entered the market, gradually easing the previously high tonnage count.
Pacific: The Handysize market remained subdued, with little new information or movement in rates. The tonnage list increased slightly, contributing to a stagnant environment. Despite the current quiet, there is an expectation among some market participants that activity could pick up in the final quarter of the year.
Weekly Recaps
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.
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.
