Weekly Freight Recap: 14/11/24
Nov 14, 2024
PANAMAX
Atlantic: The Panamax market showed signs of stability, especially in the North Atlantic, where demand for transatlantic routes remained steady, mainly supported by US Gulf grain and coal shipments. Reduced tonnage gave owners some leverage, despite limited fronthaul demand. Some Atlantic voyage fixtures achieved higher-than-previous time charter levels, with mixed views on further gains.
Pacific: In Asia, steady demand for North Pacific grain and Indonesian routes contributed to stable rates, with quality vessels securing premiums. Although the market sentiment was firmer, gains remained modest compared to the Atlantic. The period market also saw notable activity, with several vessels fixed on longer-term charters at stable rates.
SUPRAMAX
Atlantic: The Supramax market experienced rate declines across regions, with low cargo volumes in the US Gulf and Continent covered below previous levels due to high tonnage. Despite some activity in West Africa, limited fresh demand led to bearish sentiment. Overall, the lack of enquiry in the Mediterranean and ample available vessels exerted downward pressure on rates.
Pacific: In the Pacific, Indonesia-India coal routes saw rates fall below recent benchmarks, with ample tonnage and weak demand causing further softening. Asian brokers also reported decreased demand in northern routes, mirroring the overall downward trend in rates. Period activity remained low, reflecting subdued interest in the current market.
HANDYSIZE
Atlantic: Handysize sentiment stayed weak, driven by high tonnage and low activity in the US Gulf and South Atlantic, putting downward pressure on rates. Limited fresh demand in the Continent and Mediterranean kept rates slightly below last-done levels, especially for scrap cargoes, which saw some activity but no major rate improvements.
Pacific: In the Pacific, the market remained quiet, with limited fixing activity and lower bids from charterers. Demand in both North and Southeast Asia was minimal, leading to lower rates. The overall market outlook stayed soft, with continued downward pressure reflected in rate declines.
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.
