Weekly Freight Recap: 18/04/25
Apr 18, 2025
PANAMAX Atlantic: The Atlantic market saw further pressure with rates declining across most routes. Despite some vessel movement toward South America on hopes of stronger grain activity, this has not translated into stronger sentiment. The region remains oversupplied, and charterers continue to dictate terms, keeping offers low and confidence weak. Pacific: Conditions remained soft in the Pacific with limited fresh inquiry from North Pacific and Indonesia. A growing tonnage list and lack of consistent cargoes widened the gap between bids and offers. Owners struggled to maintain levels as overall market sentiment remained bearish.
SUPRAMAX Atlantic: The Atlantic remained under pressure, especially for backhaul routes, where demand was minimal. Although the South Atlantic showed a more balanced position, owners were reluctant to discount further. The broader region lacked momentum, with few new fixtures reported and sentiment staying subdued. Pacific: The Pacific saw limited movement as demand stayed weak, particularly out of Indonesia. Owners held firm on rates in some areas like the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean, but the overall mood was quiet. A lack of new cargo kept the region flat, with participants hesitant to commit.
HANDYSIZE Atlantic: The Atlantic market was mixed. The Continent and Mediterranean stayed mostly stable, with slight gains in some areas. The South Atlantic saw a touch of fresh demand, which helped support rates slightly. In contrast, the US Gulf continued to weaken under increasing vessel availability and lack of new business. Pacific: Asia remained quiet with limited new inquiry. The tonnage list continued to build, and rates slipped slightly below last done levels. With little improvement in sight, owners faced limited options in a subdued market environment.
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.
