Weekly Freight Recap: 21/05/25
May 21, 2025
PANAMAX Atlantic: The Atlantic market remained under pressure, with transatlantic activity subdued and rates eroding further amid a growing list of prompt tonnage. Fronthaul demand from North Coast South America provided some support, but fixtures reflected easing sentiment. The bid-offer spread widened as charterers held back, and fixtures increasingly came in below previously reported levels.
Pacific: The Pacific market was largely flat, with adequate tonnage meeting limited fresh demand. Activity from NoPac and Australia remained steady but insufficient to absorb supply. Owners showed some resistance, hoping for a correction, but overall sentiment stayed weak as the market failed to find upward momentum.
SUPRAMAX Atlantic: The Atlantic Supramax market retained a steady tone, supported by demand in the US Gulf and South America. The Continent and Mediterranean, however, continued to lag with limited new enquiry. While volumes remained consistent in parts, the pace of fixing was slow, and sentiment appeared mixed depending on loading region.
Pacific: Asia remained soft, with limited new business and a long tonnage list weighing on rates. Southeast Asia and North Asia saw muted fixing, though some isolated cargoes provided small pockets of activity. The Indian Ocean maintained firmer levels, supported by steady demand from South Africa and into the Arabian Gulf, although overall activity was subdued.
HANDYSIZE Atlantic: The Handysize segment saw mild gains in most Atlantic regions. The Continent and Mediterranean moved slightly higher, while the US Gulf and South Atlantic markets remained balanced, helped by steady cargo flows and tighter prompt tonnage. Sentiment was stable to slightly firmer across the basin.
Pacific: The Pacific market also saw some improvement. Tighter vessel availability in Southeast Asia and the North Pacific encouraged stronger bids from charterers. While overall demand remained moderate, the regional tonnage balance tilted in favor of owners, lifting sentiment modestly across the board.
Weekly Recaps
Freight
Freight Recap:
21/05/25
May 21, 2025
The Handysize segment saw mild gains in most Atlantic regions. The Continent and Mediterranean moved slightly higher, while the US Gulf and South Atlantic markets remained balanced, helped by steady cargo flows and tighter prompt tonnage. Sentiment was stable to slightly firmer across the basin.
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
12-16/5/25 Agri
May 19, 2025
Monday kicked off with a flurry of major developments. The USDA’s first 2025/26 crop year projections revealed tighter-than-expected corn and soybean ending stocks, lifting those markets, though wheat futures lagged on a more bearish supply outlook. Meanwhile, U.S.-China trade optimism resurfaced after both sides agreed to a 90-day mutual tariff rollback, triggering gains in soybeans and financial markets. U.S. crop planting made notable headway, while winter wheat ratings improved by three points to 54% good to excellent.
Freight
Freight Recap:
15/05/25
May 15, 2025
The North Atlantic saw further pressure this week as mineral fronthaul activity continued at discounted levels and transatlantic demand remained thin. Tonnage availability increased, widening the bid-offer spread and contributing to a downward drift in rates.
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
5-9/5/25 Agri
May 12, 2025
Grain markets faced a volatile week, marked by sharp price swings, shifting weather outlooks, and heightened geopolitical developments. The week began with broad-based losses, as favorable U.S. planting weather and declining oil prices pressured corn and wheat. Old crop corn tumbled over 3%, while MATIF milling wheat slid toward the critical €200 mark. Improved Black Sea rainfall forecasts further weighed on sentiment, with IKAR raising its Russian wheat crop estimate to 83.8 mmt. Meanwhile, U.S. planting progress remained steady but slightly below expectations, and winter wheat condition ratings exceeded forecasts, adding to the bearish tone.
