Weekly Freight Recap: 15/05/25
May 15, 2025
PANAMAX Atlantic: The North Atlantic saw further pressure this week as mineral fronthaul activity continued at discounted levels and transatlantic demand remained thin. Tonnage availability increased, widening the bid-offer spread and contributing to a downward drift in rates. In the South, earlier fixing activity gave way to broader market uncertainty, with charterers and owners struggling to align on current values, keeping rates flat and positional.
Pacific: The Pacific returned mixed signals. Improved activity out of Australia provided some optimism, but the weight of available vessels kept rates from firming. NoPac and Indonesia trades remained subdued, with differing views on real market value for longer rounds. As a result, owners struggled to gain traction, and sentiment stayed cautious across the region.
SUPRAMAX Atlantic: The Atlantic Supramax market held a largely stable tone. The US Gulf remained the most resilient, with firm levels supported by steady demand, although actual fixing remained limited. The South Atlantic appeared balanced, while the Continent and East Mediterranean continued to lag behind due to a lack of new cargoes and downward rate pressure. Pacific: In Asia, the market continued to soften amid limited fresh inquiry and increasing prompt tonnage. Southeast Asia and Indonesia lacked volume to support rates, while the Indian Ocean held firmer ground with active coal demand from South Africa. Fixing was thin overall, and owners remained defensive, with rate ideas broadly under pressure across the region.
HANDYSIZE Atlantic: The Handysize Atlantic market remained quiet, with the Continent and Mediterranean holding flat around last done levels. The South Atlantic showed little movement but was considered balanced, while the US Gulf continued to soften with limited demand and weakening sentiment.
Pacific: The Pacific market was similarly subdued, with a longer tonnage list and a thin cargo book keeping rates under pressure. Southeast Asia and the Arabian Gulf remained quiet, with few fixtures reported. Owners faced slow momentum and limited options, reflecting a market still struggling to find direction.
Weekly Recaps
Freight
Freight Recap:
15/05/25
May 15, 2025
The North Atlantic saw further pressure this week as mineral fronthaul activity continued at discounted levels and transatlantic demand remained thin. Tonnage availability increased, widening the bid-offer spread and contributing to a downward drift in rates.
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
5-9/5/25 Agri
May 12, 2025
Grain markets faced a volatile week, marked by sharp price swings, shifting weather outlooks, and heightened geopolitical developments. The week began with broad-based losses, as favorable U.S. planting weather and declining oil prices pressured corn and wheat. Old crop corn tumbled over 3%, while MATIF milling wheat slid toward the critical €200 mark. Improved Black Sea rainfall forecasts further weighed on sentiment, with IKAR raising its Russian wheat crop estimate to 83.8 mmt. Meanwhile, U.S. planting progress remained steady but slightly below expectations, and winter wheat condition ratings exceeded forecasts, adding to the bearish tone.
Freight
Freight Recap:
08/05/25
May 08, 2025
The Atlantic Panamax market showed modest stability, with transatlantic activity supported by firm demand from North Coast South America and tight tonnage off the Continent. Grain business helped keep sentiment steady, though the southern part of the basin remained quiet with few fresh enquiries. Activity was limited due to holidays, but premium routes offered some support to rates despite a broadly sideways trend.
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
28/4/-22/5/25 Agri
May 05, 2025
Grain markets navigated a complex mix of macroeconomic signals, weather developments, and geopolitical currents in Week 18, with wheat drawing the most attention amid volatile fund positioning and shifting sentiment. Early in the week, U.S. wheat futures led a broad decline across grain contracts as expectations for improved crop conditions took hold. These were confirmed late Monday by the Crop Progress report, which showed winter wheat ratings jumping to 49% good/excellent—surpassing market forecasts and matching last year’s figure. Favorable U.S. rainfall and continued planting progress in corn and soybeans reinforced the bearish tone, while a sharp uptick in wheat export inspections helped limit losses. Meanwhile, soybeans bucked the trend to close in the green, supported in part by robust export activity.
