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
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.
