Baltic Exchange reports mixed freight rate trends across tanker and dry bulk sectors

The Baltic Exchange’s weekly assessment indicates a generally softer tone for Capesize vessels, with Pacific prompt tonnage outpacing fresh cargo demand and C5 rates falling from the low $17s to the mid-$16s before stabilising later in the week. In contrast, Atlantic routes such as South Brazil to China and West Africa to China gained momentum, producing C3 fixtures in the low-to-mid $42s. Panamax and Kamsarmax markets saw the P5TC index decline as charterers adopted a cautious stance, though grain and mineral enquiries supported occasional fixtures on both trans-Atlantic and fronthaul trips.

Ultramax, Supramax and Handysize sectors recorded modest improvements, especially in the North Pacific and Mediterranean, while VLCC, Suezmax and Aframax rates climbed on Middle-East and Mediterranean voyages. LNG freight indices rose sharply on the US Gulf-Japan lane, and LPG VLGC rates hit fresh highs, both buoyed by higher commodity prices and Middle-East tensions, yet ample vessel supply limited further rate gains.