Weekly Freight Recap: 01/05/25
May 01, 2025
PANAMAX Atlantic: The Atlantic Panamax market softened over the week, with spot demand showing only limited support, particularly out of North Coast South America. Activity slowed across most areas, partly due to industry events and holidays. The Mediterranean saw a buildup in available tonnage, though sentiment remained cautiously firm. Despite some isolated fixtures, overall momentum remained muted, and many participants adopted a wait-and-see approach.
Pacific: The Pacific continued its downward trend, weighed down by a growing tonnage list and subdued inquiry. Trades from North Pacific and Australia lost ground, with weaker bids pushing owners to test lower levels. Activity out of Indonesia also slowed, offering little support. While tonnage remains tight in some pockets, overall sentiment in the region weakened, keeping rates under pressure.
SUPRAMAX Atlantic: The Atlantic Supramax market remained lackluster, with the US Gulf under continued pressure due to weak demand and oversupply. The South Atlantic offered relatively more stability, though fixtures remained limited. Sentiment across the Continent and Mediterranean stayed cautious, with little fresh enquiry to provide upward momentum.
Pacific: The Pacific Supramax segment faced a quiet week, with holidays dampening activity and many participants still absent post-conference. Indonesian coal business provided some support, but overall fresh cargo was limited, and rates slipped slightly. Owners held firm where possible, but pressure remained from the growing number of open vessels.
HANDYSIZE Atlantic: The Atlantic Handysize market remained under pressure, especially in the US Gulf and Mediterranean, where demand failed to pick up. The Continent saw steady but unspectacular activity, while the South Atlantic offered slightly firmer sentiment due to steady grain flows. Still, overall activity was light, and rate levels continued to face downward pressure.
Pacific: The Pacific Handysize market held mostly flat, with little change in fundamentals. Tonnage levels remained high, particularly in Southeast Asia, while cargo inquiry stayed thin. A few fixtures provided limited support, but the market lacked the drive to push rates meaningfully higher.
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.
