Weekly Freight Recap: 05/12/24
Dec 05, 2024
PANAMAX
Atlantic: The Atlantic market faced persistent challenges, with limited grain and coal demand, an oversupply of tonnage, and a lack of fresh cargo keeping rates subdued. Some support came from South African coal activity, but overall tonnage imbalances continued to pressure owners. Rates in ECSA held relatively stable as South Africa absorbed some spot vessels, but charterers still managed to secure lower bids, leaving owners struggling to maintain previous levels.
Pacific: In the Pacific, the market saw no significant improvement despite steady Indonesian coal demand and occasional activity from Australian cargoes. High vessel availability kept rates under pressure, while bid-offer spreads widened. The market remained stagnant, with little sign of recovery in the near term.
SUPRAMAX
Atlantic: The Atlantic Supramax market saw slow activity, with weak demand and longer vessel lists weighing on sentiment. The South Atlantic showed a more balanced outlook, while the US Gulf rates appeared to stabilize after consistent declines. However, the Continent and Mediterranean remained sluggish due to insufficient interest and high vessel availability, putting further pressure on rates.
Pacific: The Pacific market was similarly quiet, with limited fresh inquiries and rising tonnage counts. Despite some demand from the Indian Ocean and sporadic cargo movements, the market struggled to gain momentum. As the festive season approaches, activity is expected to remain muted, with rates under continued pressure.
HANDYSIZE
Atlantic: The Handysize market continued to experience weak fundamentals, with insufficient demand and slow activity across the Continent, Mediterranean, and South Atlantic. A lack of clean cargoes and limited eastbound trips from the Black Sea caused further rate declines. The US Gulf market remained subdued with little fixing activity and no significant changes in sentiment.
Pacific: In Asia, despite an increase in available tonnage, the limited fresh demand helped stabilize rates at current levels. However, without a meaningful rise in cargo volumes, rates remained stagnant, with no major shifts in market dynamics.
Weekly Recaps
Freight
Freight Recap:
18/12/25
Dec 18, 2025
The dry bulk market saw a softer overall tone, with Handysize holding largely flat, Supramax weakening across both basins, and Panamax continuing its decline despite some localized Atlantic support. Activity levels remained muted in many regions, with owners increasingly seeking cover ahead of the holiday period. The Atlantic showed mixed signals across segments, while the Pacific faced longer tonnage lists and weaker demand, keeping pressure on rates.
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
08-12/12/25 Agri
Dec 15, 2025
CBOT markets finished lower ahead of Tuesday’s WASDE, which was widely expected to lack bullish surprises. MATIF wheat was the exception, posting small gains. Russian 12.5% protein wheat FOB for January delivery edged up by $0.5 w/w to $227.5/t, according to IKAR. Geopolitical headlines remained in focus after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said US-brokered peace talks remain stalled over security guarantees and control of eastern Ukraine, particularly the Donbas.
Freight
Freight Recap:
11/12/25
Dec 11, 2025
The dry bulk market saw a softer overall tone, with Handysize holding largely flat, Supramax weakening across both basins, and Panamax continuing its decline despite some localized Atlantic support. Activity levels remained muted in many regions, with owners increasingly seeking cover ahead of the holiday period. The Atlantic showed mixed signals across segments, while the Pacific faced longer tonnage lists and weaker demand, keeping pressure on rates.
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
01-05/12/25 Agri
Dec 08, 2025
USDA announced no new flash sales, disappointing soybean markets. Weekly export sales remain delayed and have not yet reached the period covering the US–China trade deal, leaving the true pace of buying uncertain. CBOT corn and wheat eased, while March MATIF wheat posted small gains after finding support at intraday contract lows. ABARES raised Australia’s 2025/26 wheat, barley, and canola output, though the increases were broadly in line with expectations. Algeria’s OAIC issued a soft wheat tender for February shipment, and Russian wheat prices slipped again, with 12.5% FOB for January at $227/t.
