Weekly Freight Recap: 05/06/25
Jun 05, 2025
PANAMAX Atlantic: 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. Grain cargoes out of EC South America remained a key driver, with premiums being paid for prompt tonnage. Overall, sentiment improved significantly, and next done levels are expected higher.
Pacific: In Asia, activity picked up slightly, though the market remained mixed. The wide bid-offer spread continued to cause hesitation, but sentiment improved somewhat thanks to increased exports from South America. Regional holidays slowed progress earlier in the week, but rate levels held steady overall, supported by minor improvements in coal cargo flows
SUPRAMAX Atlantic: Supramax activity in the Atlantic was subdued overall, with the Continent-Mediterranean seeing minor improvement while the South Atlantic and US Gulf stayed under pressure. Some isolated fixtures were reported, such as cement trips into the US Gulf, but the overall market tone remained flat. Support pockets emerged from specific trades, though tonnage oversupply limited any meaningful upward push.
Pacific: Asia remained weak, with little change in market dynamics. Holiday-related slowdown and a muted cargo book continued to weigh on sentiment. Few fixtures were reported, and rates stayed broadly unchanged, reflecting lack of fresh demand and persistent vessel oversupply.
HANDYSIZE Atlantic: The Handysize Atlantic market was relatively balanced. While the Continent and Mediterranean held flat, a slight improvement was observed in the South Atlantic due to tightening tonnage. The US Gulf showed ongoing momentum, supported by fresh cargoes and fewer available vessels. Several fixtures showed rates holding or trending upwards, especially into the Mediterranean.
Pacific: The Pacific Handy market remained stable. Conditions were steady, but growing vessel supply relative to demand kept rates flat. Some salt and mineral cargoes were reported, though no significant shift in fundamentals occurred. Fixtures showed limited rate movement despite ongoing interest from charterers.
Weekly Recaps
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
11-15/08/25 Agri
Aug 18, 2025
Grain markets experienced another volatile week as political developments, trade disputes, and bearish USDA data drove sentiment. Early in the week, soybeans surged on speculation that Chinese buying might resume following Donald Trump’s extension of tariff pauses, but corn and wheat failed to follow. Export inspections painted a mixed picture, with corn and soybeans performing well while wheat lagged. The USDA’s August WASDE loomed large over the market, with traders bracing for higher yield estimates.
Freight
Freight Recap:
14/08/25
Aug 14, 2025
The dry bulk market presented a mixed performance this week, with the Supramax segment edging higher, Handysize holding steady with minor gains, and Panamax showing a regional split — weaker in the Atlantic, firmer in the Pacific.
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
04–08/08/25 Agri
Aug 11, 2025
Grain markets swung sharply this week, rebounding midweek before easing, driven by yield outlooks, export data, and geopolitical headlines.
Freight
Freight Recap:
7/08/25
Aug 07, 2025
Port of Callao halted operations after an Evergreen ship lost 50 containers during rough weather. Meanwhile, July's freight data shows the market stuck in a supply-heavy “holding pattern,” with capacity expanding but pricing rising faster — suggesting a slow, uneven recovery in logistics and transportation
