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
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.
