Weekly Freight Recap: 30/01/25
Jan 30, 2025
PANAMAX
Atlantic: The Panamax market continued to struggle, with limited fresh demand across the region. The North Atlantic saw some fronthaul inquiries, but these had little impact on overall sentiment. The South Atlantic remained under pressure, with a slight indication of stabilization for P6 index dates, though nearby positions continued to weaken. Rates for trans-Atlantic trades remained subdued as tonnage availability exceeded requirements, leading to further rate softening.
Pacific: The Pacific market was notably quiet due to the Lunar New Year, with minimal activity and very few fixtures reported. The limited demand made it difficult to gauge market direction, though sentiment remained flat to negative. Longer rounds were bid well below index levels, and Indonesian cargoes showed little movement. With market fundamentals unchanged, further corrections were seen in the region.
SUPRAMAX
Atlantic: The Supramax market saw another slow week, with the South Atlantic continuing to face downward pressure due to high tonnage availability. Some players felt that the US Gulf market had found a temporary floor, but the lack of fresh activity made this difficult to confirm. In the Mediterranean and Continent, limited enquiry meant rates remained under pressure, with owners struggling to find suitable employment at last done levels.
Pacific: The Asian market remained quiet with the Lunar New Year celebrations keeping activity at a minimum. With very little fresh enquiry emerging, rates continued to drift lower, mirroring the sluggish demand in the Atlantic. Cargo volumes from Southeast Asia and Australia remained low, contributing to a lack of momentum in the basin.
HANDYSIZE
Atlantic: The Handysize market remained subdued, with soft sentiment persisting across both basins. In the Continent and Mediterranean, there was some sporadic fixing, but not enough to shift overall market levels. The US Gulf and South Atlantic saw a few fresh inquiries, but the excess tonnage in the region prevented any meaningful rate improvement. Rates remained under pressure, with some fixtures reported below last done levels.
Pacific: As expected, the Asian market had a very quiet week due to Chinese New Year, with fundamentals remaining unchanged. Market participation was extremely limited, and rates continued to reflect weak demand. With many players still away, there was little expectation of a near-term improvement in sentiment, leaving the basin in a stagnant state.
Weekly Recaps
Freight
Freight Recap:
2/10/25
Oct 02, 2025
The dry bulk market displayed mixed conditions, with Handysize maintaining its upward momentum, Supramax undergoing further corrections, and Panamax continuing to weaken across both basins. Atlantic activity showed some resilience in smaller segments, while Asia was muted due to regional holidays. Broader sentiment in larger segments remained under pressure, influenced by excess tonnage and soft FFA signals.
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
22-26/09/25 Agri
Sep 29, 2025
Grain markets opened the week under pressure after Argentina suspended export taxes on soy, corn, wheat, and by-products. The move sparked expectations of aggressive short-term sales, sending Chicago wheat to fresh contract lows and weighing on soybeans and soy products. MATIF wheat held just above recent lows ahead of Algeria’s tender, though sentiment remained weak as U.S. futures fell again and the euro strengthened to 1.18. U.S. inspections showed lighter soybean and corn volumes, while wheat topped expectations. Crop progress confirmed steady harvest advances but slight condition declines, with winter wheat planting just behind forecasts.
Freight
Freight Recap:
25/09/25
Sep 25, 2025
The dry bulk market showed a split tone. Handysize remained constructive on selective strength, Supramax was steady-to-softer with Atlantic support offset by Pacific pressure, and Panamax firmed on the day with more activity in both basins.
