Weekly Freight Recap: 12/06/25
Jun 12, 2025
PANAMAX Atlantic: The Panamax Atlantic market strengthened further, particularly in the North where limited tonnage availability led owners to raise offers. Charterers showed some resistance, but firmer bids began to appear, hinting at further upside. Fronthaul demand remained a key driver, while the South Atlantic appeared more mixed with less momentum. Overall, the northern part of the basin provided the strongest support, keeping sentiment buoyant.
Pacific: In Asia, confidence improved across the board. Consistent coal demand out of Indonesia and Australia helped clear prompt vessels, with rates trending upward. Despite some variation across trades, the overall tone was firm. Owners pushed for higher levels as enquiries grew, widening the bid-offer spread. Market participants remained cautiously optimistic heading into the new week.
SUPRAMAX Atlantic: The Supramax Atlantic market stayed quiet, though select pockets such as the US Gulf showed signs of strengthening. South America also gained attention, yet fixing activity was still limited. Brokers noted an uptick in enquiries but reported few concluded deals. Sentiment held steady, with owners hoping tighter tonnage may soon support firmer rates.
Pacific: Asia remained under pressure. Vessel oversupply and thin cargo availability kept rates from advancing, despite a few isolated fixtures. Indonesian coal trades continued to set the tone, but the wider market lacked momentum. Owners remained defensive, though signs of stability appeared by week’s end, particularly in Indian Ocean-related trades.
HANDYSIZE Atlantic: The Handy market in the Atlantic was balanced overall. The Continent and Mediterranean saw little change, with rates largely in line with recent fixtures. The South Atlantic held steady, while the US Gulf remained more active and benefited from strong cargo flows. The region continued to provide relative support to the broader segment.
Pacific: Asia saw muted activity, with market participants reporting a growing list of open ships. While demand remained weak, rate levels were mostly steady. Few fixtures emerged, and no major shifts in sentiment were observed, keeping the Pacific market in a holding pattern.
Weekly Recaps
Commodities
Agri- Commodities:
16–20 /5/25 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.
Freight
Freight Recap:
19/06/25
Jun 19, 2025
The Panamax Atlantic market showed signs of plateauing this week, with reduced spot activity prompting concerns of near-term softening. North Atlantic visibility remained limited, with owners and charterers continuing to disagree on rate expectations, leading to a widening bid-offer gap.
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.
