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
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.
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.
