Weekly Freight Recap: 26/09/24
Sep 26, 2024
PANAMAX
Atlantic: The Atlantic Panamax market remained subdued with limited fresh demand and a wide bid/offer spread, particularly in East Coast South America where October liftings showed divergence. The North Atlantic saw some increase in tonnage availability, keeping rates stable but without significant momentum. Coal cargoes from the US East Coast provided minimal support, while the Baltic and Black Sea regions remained inactive.
Pacific: In contrast, the Pacific market showed more strength with firmer rates across trades, especially from Australia where some strong rates were concluded. This helped maintain positive sentiment, though the overall market remains cautious, with no major rallies expected despite steady support across regions.
SUPRAMAX
Atlantic: Market continued to struggle, with minimal fresh inquiries, particularly from the US Gulf and South America. While coal cargoes provided some support, the South Atlantic saw little fresh impetus, and sentiment remained positional.
Pacific: Market saw better demand, particularly from Indonesia and India, with some stronger rates agreed. However, overall activity remained limited, and the market started the week in a cautious position.
HANDYSIZE
Atlantic: The Handysize market experienced mixed activity, with more dynamism in the Continent and Mediterranean where demand increased, especially for routes towards the US Gulf and West Africa. Meanwhile, the South Atlantic and US Gulf markets remained under pressure, with limited inquiries and growing tonnage lists.
Pacific: Healthy cargo volumes supported an uptick in activity, with rates slightly rising from previous levels. This led to a generally positive sentiment, though the market remained relatively quiet in the early part of the week.
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.
