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
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
9-13/6/25 Agri
Jun 16, 2025
Grain markets were pulled in opposing directions throughout Week 24, as favorable crop prospects, geopolitical shocks, and U.S. policy developments generated volatile trading. The week opened with a sharp sell-off in corn and wheat, as improved U.S. crop conditions and benign weather forecasts reinforced expectations of ample supplies. Corn and wheat both fell more than 2% on Monday, effectively wiping out prior gains. U.S. crop ratings surprised to the upside, with corn at 71% good to excellent and soybeans at 68%. Concurrently, stronger forecasts for Russian and Romanian wheat harvests added further pressure, while China’s surging soybean imports – largely sourced from Brazil – highlighted its continued pivot away from U.S. origin.
Freight
Freight Recap:
12/06/25
Jun 12, 2025
The Panamax Atlantic market strengthened further, particularly in the North where limited tonnage availability led owners to raise offers.
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
2-6/6/25 Agri
Jun 09, 2025
Grain markets opened June on a mixed footing, with wheat futures initially rallying on renewed geopolitical fears following escalations between Ukraine and Russia. However, the rally soon fizzled as U.S. crop progress data turned sentiment more bearish. Spring and winter wheat condition ratings exceeded expectations, with plantings and harvests advancing steadily. Meanwhile, USDA export inspections showed strong corn loadings, but soybeans and wheat lagged.
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
