Weekly Freight Recap: 08/08/24
Aug 08, 2024
PANAMAX
Atlantic: The Panamax market continued its decline this week, moving away from typical seasonal trends. The Atlantic basin saw minimal trans-Atlantic activity, with significant rate corrections anticipated due to low demand and an oversupply of vessels. Charterers held the upper hand, reducing bids and leading to weaker sentiment overall.
Pacific: In the Pacific, a lack of cargo support led to expected rate corrections. Older, smaller vessels faced heavy discounts, particularly on short Indonesian round trips. Market activity from Australia to China and Malaysia reflected ongoing corrections, with overall sentiment remaining weak.
SUPRAMAX
Atlantic: The Supramax market saw moderate activity, with new sugar stems and steady South Africa-India coal trades. The US Gulf market weakened further due to a lack of fresh inquiries and an increasing prompt tonnage list. Despite some period charter activity, overall market sentiment remained flat.
Pacific: Demand was weak in the south and more balanced in the north. Regular Indonesia-China and Indonesia-India trips continued, with period charters still in demand. Recent deals suggested a slight upward trend in rates, but the overall market remained subdued.
HANDYSIZE
Atlantic: The Handysize market had mixed results this week. Some positivity emerged from South America, with fixtures to Central America and Europe showing slight rate improvements. The US Gulf saw limited activity, with some trips to Mexico and the Mediterranean, but overall market excitement was low.
Pacific: Market fundamentals remained stable with the usual Indonesian coal runs to China and India. Rates and activity levels were consistent with previous weeks, indicating a balanced market. Interest in period charters reflected steady demand in the region.
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.
