Weekly Freight Recap: 10/04/25
Apr 10, 2025
PANAMAX Atlantic: The market remained under pressure with falling rates driven by oversupply and limited fresh demand. While some activity was seen out of South America, it wasn’t enough to shift sentiment. Charterers maintained control, and offers remained far apart from bids, especially on transatlantic routes. Overall, market participants remained cautious, with attention also diverted by global financial uncertainty.
Pacific: Rates continued to slide amid a growing tonnage list and weak cargo activity from key regions like Indonesia and North Pacific. Although there were some fixtures ex-Australia, overall momentum stayed weak. Owners faced difficulty maintaining rate levels as demand lagged behind supply, keeping sentiment bearish.
SUPRAMAX Atlantic: The region saw limited fresh inquiry and continued pressure on rates, particularly for backhaul cargoes. Some areas remained balanced, like the South Atlantic, but overall mood was cautious. Owners were hesitant to reduce offers further, though little new business emerged to change the outlook.
Pacific: Activity slightly picked up following holidays in Indonesia, leading to more resistance from owners. However, the overall market stayed soft, with rates modest and gains limited. Fixtures emerged from Indonesia and East Kalimantan, but with no broad rebound in sight.
HANDYSIZE Atlantic: The market remained weak across the US Gulf and South America due to increased tonnage and insufficient demand. Europe stayed relatively stable but without notable improvements.
Pacific: Rates slipped further as pressure continued across Asia. The tonnage list grew longer while demand stayed thin, causing fixtures to trend below previous levels. Overall sentiment remained soft across the board.
Weekly Recaps
Freight
Freight Recap:
05/06/25
Jun 05, 2025
The Panamax Atlantic market showed signs of a strong rebound, especially in both the North and South where firmer bids and tightening tonnage contributed to rising sentiment. Fixtures suggested that some charterers may have overplayed their hand, triggering a jump in rates
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
26–30 /5/25 Agri
Jun 02, 2025
Monday opened quietly in Europe as U.S. markets remained closed for Memorial Day. MATIF wheat traded lower in thin volumes, but losses were limited by concerns over dry conditions in France and rising temperatures in Russia. The May JRC MARS Bulletin painted a mixed EU crop outlook, nudging soft wheat yield estimates slightly higher but trimming rapeseed expectations. Meanwhile, geopolitical noise grew louder with President Trump mulling new sanctions against Russia, and Germany lifting range restrictions on Ukrainian strikes using Western weapons.
Freight
Freight Recap:
29/05/25
May 29, 2025
The Atlantic market struggled with weak sentiment throughout the week. Following recent holidays, demand remained soft and fresh cargoes were limited, particularly in the North. In the South, while some fixing activity was noted, oversupply of ships continued to weigh heavily on rates. Owners faced increasing pressure as charterers held firm, and some vessels were reported fixing below last done.
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
19-23/5/25 Agri
May 26, 2025
Grain markets exhibited volatility throughout Week 21, with wheat prices leading a mid-week rally before easing slightly into the weekend. Early in the week, MATIF milling wheat weakened in response to Saudi Arabia’s tender, which confirmed continued preference for competitively priced Black Sea wheat. Meanwhile, CBOT futures found strength, buoyed by a broader risk-on sentiment in financial markets after a brief dip following Moody’s downgrade of the U.S. credit rating. U.S. corn inspections came in strong, and planting progress remained well ahead of the five-year average, though winter wheat conditions unexpectedly declined. On the geopolitical front, markets briefly reacted to the news of prospective ceasefire talks between Ukraine and Russia, although subsequent clarifications tempered expectations.
