Weekly Freight Recap: 28/11/24
Nov 29, 2024
PANAMAX
Atlantic: The Atlantic Panamax market struggled with weak fundamentals, as grain volumes remained low and coal demand softened due to high inventories and mild weather. Mineral cargoes provided limited support, but fronthaul routes were pressured by an oversupply of vessels heading East. Rates continued to decline, with demand insufficient to balance the market. Recovery is unlikely without a significant uptick in grain demand and stronger fundamentals.
Pacific: The Pacific market saw limited activity, with demand from key origins remaining subdued. Some support came from southern minerals and tenders, but an oversupply of tonnage kept pressure on rates. Modest improvements in forward freight markets offered slight optimism, but meaningful recovery requires a tightening of vessel supply and higher cargo volumes.
SUPRAMAX
Atlantic: The Supramax market remained weak due to limited cargo volumes and an oversupply of vessels. In the South Atlantic, activity was minimal, with rates steady but under pressure. The Mediterranean and Continent lacked fresh demand, further frustrating owners. Period activity was slow, with little optimism for a significant improvement in the short term.
Pacific: In the Pacific, northern regions saw slower activity, while southern areas showed slight optimism. Indonesian coal cargoes provided some movement, but overall demand remained insufficient to ease the oversupply of vessels. The Indian Ocean saw modest activity, but rates stayed subdued across most regions.
HANDYSIZE
Atlantic: The Handysize market in the Continent and Mediterranean weakened as fresh demand failed to materialize. In the US Gulf, activity was limited due to holiday-related slowdowns, while the South Atlantic remained stable but under pressure.
Pacific: In the Pacific, the market faced challenges with rising vessel availability and limited cargo options. Anticipation of steel orders in December offered some hope, but current sentiment remained weak, and rates were under pressure across the region.
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.
