Weekly Freight Recap: 13/02/25

Feb 13, 2025

PANAMAX Atlantic: The market remained under pressure with weak demand and an oversupply of tonnage, particularly in the North Atlantic. Limited fresh cargo made it difficult for owners to secure strong rates, with charterers holding the upper hand in negotiations. In the South Atlantic, sentiment remained negative, with further corrections for forward positions, particularly for vessels ballasting to East Coast South America.

Pacific: The Pacific market showed some stability, supported by consistent demand from NoPac and Australia. However, overall sentiment was cautious, and rates remained under pressure amid broader market uncertainties. There was some improvement in Indonesian coal activity, which helped absorb tonnage, but fundamentals remained largely unchanged.

SUPRAMAX Atlantic: The Atlantic market maintained positive momentum, with increasing interest in the US Gulf and stronger sentiment in the South Atlantic. However, fixing details were limited, and while the US Gulf remained firm, there were signs it might be leveling off. The Continent and Mediterranean markets remained balanced, with stable demand.

Pacific: The Asian market saw fresh activity, particularly in coal cargoes from Indonesia to India and China. Owners were able to push for slightly stronger rates as demand remained steady. The Indian Ocean remained positional, with some securing improved levels. Period interest increased, reflecting growing confidence in the market.

HANDYSIZE Atlantic: The Atlantic market maintained positive momentum, with increasing interest in the US Gulf and stronger sentiment in the South Atlantic. However, fixing details were limited, and while the US Gulf remained firm, there were signs it might be leveling off. The Continent and Mediterranean markets remained balanced, with stable demand.

Pacific:The Asian market saw fresh activity, particularly in coal cargoes from Indonesia to India and China. Owners were able to push for slightly stronger rates as demand remained steady. The Indian Ocean remained positional, with some securing improved levels. Period interest increased, reflecting growing confidence in the market.

Weekly Recaps

Freight

Freight Recap:
04/12/25

Dec 04, 2025

The dry bulk market saw a generally mixed performance, with Handysize remaining supported in the Atlantic, Supramax showing uneven movement across regions, and Panamax continuing its correction as rising vessel supply weighed on sentiment. Atlantic dynamics were split between firmer US Gulf/US East Coast activity in the smaller segments and softer conditions for Panamax. In the Pacific, muted enquiry and longer lists contributed to a softer tone, especially in NoPac, though isolated strength persisted in Australian coal.

Commodities

Agri- Commodities:
24-28/11/25 Agri

Dec 01, 2025

Wheat opened the week lower after Saudi Arabia’s tender came in sharply priced, while soybeans and corn also finished slightly weaker. Market reaction to the Trump–Xi call remained muted, particularly for soybeans, where repeated political signals have not delivered the expected demand. Saudi Arabia’s GFSA bought 300k tons of wheat for March–April arrival at $257.96–$259.74/t CnF, roughly $5–$5.50 below the previous tender, with February slots skipped. Russian 12.5% protein wheat eased by $1 to $228/t FOB according to IKAR, and MARS reported that winter-cereal sowing in Europe is largely complete under mostly favorable conditions. US winter wheat conditions improved to 48% good/excellent, two points above the five-year average.

USDA confirmed private sales of 123k tons of US soybeans to China, bringing known 25/26 sales to 1.94 mmt, with an additional 0.62 mmt sold to “unknown” since October. Weekly US export inspections showed 799k tons of soybeans, 1,632k tons of corn, and 475k tons of wheat. No soybeans were shipped to China, leaving total inspections well behind last year’s levels.

Freight

Freight Recap:
27/11/25

Nov 27, 2025

The dry bulk market showed a mostly subdued performance, with Handysize and Supramax sentiment remaining soft across both basins and Panamax maintaining a firm, steady tone driven by continued grain activity. The Atlantic saw mixed conditions, with smaller segments facing limited enquiry while Panamax benefitted from solid U.S. Gulf and East Coast support. In the Pacific, Handy/Supra sectors stayed muted, whereas Panamax demand from Indonesia and Japan kept momentum intact despite some easing in Chinese interest.

Commodities

Agri- Commodities:
17-21/11/25 Agri

Nov 24, 2025

The rebound in soybeans and Chicago wheat was even more impressive than Friday’s plunge, driven this time by actual Chinese purchases rather than political promises. US wheat rallied alongside soybeans on talk of Chinese demand, though without confirmation that wheat was included, while MATIF wheat lagged despite a weaker EUR/USD. USDA corrected Friday’s missing flash sales by trimming US soybean sales to China by 100k tons, yet sentiment stayed upbeat on reports that China bought at least 14 US cargoes. NOPA reported a record October crush of 227.65 mbu, suggesting stronger domestic use may offset some export weakness. Weekly inspections showed soybeans at 1,176k tons, corn at 2,054k tons, and wheat at 247k tons; cumulative soybean inspections remain down 7.5 mmt y/y while corn is up 6.7 mmt.

Russian 12.5% wheat FOB for late December fell $3 w/w to $229/t, while Poland reported sabotage on a key rail line used to send aid and weapons to Ukraine. Based on cumulative inspections so far this marketing year, wheat needs to maintain last year’s pace to meet USDA’s export forecast, soybeans need to accelerate, and corn could afford to slow.

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