Weekly Freight Recap: 08/05/25
May 08, 2025
PANAMAX Atlantic: 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.
Pacific: The Pacific continued to struggle with downward pressure as oversupply of vessels persisted, particularly in the Far East. Slow cargo replenishment and weak demand on both NoPac and Australian rounds led to further softening of sentiment. Owners faced increasingly cautious charterers, resulting in thinner negotiations and little sign of short-term improvement.
SUPRAMAX Atlantic: The Atlantic Supramax market remained positional, with scattered demand from the US Gulf and South Atlantic regions. While there were signs of strength in the South Atlantic, the Continent and Mediterranean continued to lack momentum. Fixing activity remained limited, and although some owners held firm, rate direction appeared uncertain amid a generally quiet environment.
Pacific: Asia remained under pressure due to rising tonnage availability and limited fresh demand. Weak sentiment persisted across Southeast Asia, while the Indian Ocean offered some stronger numbers, particularly from South Africa. Isolated fixtures were reported, but overall, the market lacked sufficient cargo to reverse the softening trend.
HANDYSIZE Atlantic: The Handysize market in the Atlantic held steady with minimal changes. While fresh demand surfaced in the US Gulf and South Atlantic, it remained insufficient to absorb the growing list of open tonnage. The Continent and Mediterranean continued to show little activity, keeping sentiment flat and rates aligned with previous levels.
Pacific: The Pacific market remained flat with no major changes in fundamentals. Tonnage availability continued to build, and limited fresh enquiries kept pressure on rates. Fixtures were sparse, and activity was subdued across the region, with owners struggling to push for firmer levels in a quiet environment.
Weekly Recaps
Freight
Freight Recap:
6/11/25
Nov 06, 2025
The dry bulk market experienced a generally softer tone this week, with most segments facing mild corrections. The Handysize and Supramax sectors saw limited fresh activity, while the Panamax market showed brief midweek stability before continuing its downward trajectory. Weak demand across basins and growing vessel availability placed pressure on rates, though select regional improvements offered some support.
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
27-31/10/25 Agri
Nov 03, 2025
Grain markets opened the week firmer after upbeat headlines on a potential U.S.–China trade deal lifted risk appetite across commodities. The optimism came despite limited clarity on agricultural commitments and lingering pressure from weaker export data.
Russian wheat prices were slightly lower, while EU maize yields were trimmed further. In Argentina, the peso strengthened after President Javier Milei’s party secured a midterm victory. U.S. harvest progress advanced, though export inspections remained subdued.
Freight
Freight Recap:
30/10/25
Oct 30, 2025
Freight markets continued to ease across the board this week, with Panamax, Supramax, and Handysize segments all facing renewed pressure. Sentiment turned cautious as limited fresh demand and increasing tonnage lists in both basins weighed on rates, suggesting that the short-lived rally in mid-October may have topped out.
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
20-24/10/25 Agri
Oct 27, 2025
Grain markets experienced a volatile but directionally mixed week, driven by optimism surrounding renewed US–China trade talks, fluctuating macro sentiment, and shifting global production estimates. Soybeans led early in the week, supported by trade optimism and strong export inspections, while wheat and corn were more restrained, pressured by abundant supply outlooks and mixed demand signals.
Monday began on a firm note, particularly for soybeans, which rallied sharply on upbeat remarks from President Trump about a potential trade deal with China. The oilseed market gained double digits amid rising hopes of resumed Chinese purchases. Wheat and corn, by contrast, traded mixed, with bearish pressure from improved Russian and Australian wheat crop outlooks limiting upside. IKAR raised Russia’s 2025 wheat forecast to 88.0 mmt and Australia’s harvest was seen near 36 mmt—its third largest on record. Still, lower prices encouraged demand, with Algeria issuing a December wheat tender.
