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:
03/07/25
Jul 03, 2025
The Panamax market held broadly steady this week, though signs of softening began to emerge toward the close, particularly in areas where prompt tonnage began to outpace fresh demand. Across the Atlantic, sentiment remained mixed.
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
23–27/06/25 Agri
Jun 30, 2025
The week opened with a sharp pullback across grain markets as the geopolitical risk premium evaporated following U.S. President Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. While the truce remained fragile—lacking official confirmation from Israel—market sentiment quickly pivoted back to fundamentals. Pressure mounted as U.S. crop conditions were mixed and EU wheat yield projections were revised higher, particularly in southern and eastern Europe. U.S. export inspections provided little optimism, with soybeans and wheat underperforming, and fund positioning indicated heavy corn selling alongside increased soybean buying.
Freight
Freight Recap:
26/06/25
Jun 19, 2025
The Panamax market continued to show resilience this week, holding around the USD 12,800/day level on the 5TC index. Gains were seen across both basins, driven by steady demand and tightening tonnage in key loading areas.
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
16–20/06/25 Agri
Jun 23, 2025
Monday opened with wheat and corn giving back gains from the prior session, pressured by generally favorable U.S. crop outlooks. Corn conditions improved to 72% good-to-excellent (G/E), aligning with last year’s level, while soybean ratings declined to 66% G/E. Winter wheat condition unexpectedly slipped, and harvest progress remained significantly delayed. Export inspections showed continued strength for corn, while soybean oil surged on tighter-than-expected NOPA stocks. Geopolitics hovered in the background as Iran signaled a desire to avoid escalation with Israel, while Turkey offered to mediate talks.
