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:
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.
