Transportation Perspectives - 12 November
Key Takeaways: Dry bulk freight markets were stronger this week, but the rally was uneven and due to divergent dynamics across basins and vessel classes. Panamax markets were broadly higher, but Atlantic grain demand was primarily responsible while Asian activity was subdued. That trend...
FOB Prices and Freight Rates App (Updated 11 November)
WPI Grain Prices and Freight Rate App Note: you can also visit the app directly by clicking here. Supplemental Information The section below offers a concise view of the options available in the current version of the WPI FOB Price and Freight Rate app, along with a short “How To”...
Transportation Perspectives - 5 November
Key Takeaways: Fresh North Atlantic cargoes lifted Capesize hire even as iron ore voyage assessments eased, giving owners the most leverage on transatlantic business. Australian coal helped turn Panamax rates higher, but a sustained Atlantic recovery will require more grain bookings from the A...
Port Strike Averted, but New Deadline Looming and Pork Market Precarious
The brewing West Coast port strike involving about 250 maritime watchmen, or approximately 2 percent of port employees, has been postponed until 5 November after the workers agreed to extend the strike deadline. The watchmen control and inspect truck and employee access at terminal gates. A sho...
Leading Corn Exporters Serve Different Markets
Key Takeaways: The United States, Brazil, Argentina, and Ukraine dominate global corn exports, with geography, trade relationships, and seasonal production patterns shaping their competitive advantages. U.S. corn exports reached a record 87.1 MMT in 2025/26, with Mexico, Japan, South Korea, an...
Transportation Perspectives - 29 October
Key Takeaways: Dry bulk markets are mixed with Capesize rates seeing solid gains while Panamax values slipped on a growing tonnage list. Supramax and Handysize vessels were stronger, though all sectors remain vulnerable to the seasonal dip in rates through Q4 and into Q1. Falling water l...
Transportation Perspectives - 22 October
Key Takeaways: Dry bulk markets remain mixed with Capesize rates turning around from their recent weakness and posting solid gains on improved Chinese demand. Panamax vessels, on the other hand, saw rates decline amid greater tonnage availability in the South Atlantic and falling U.S. Gu...
Transportation Perspectives - 15 October
Key Takeaways: Dry bulk markets remain mixed with Capesize vessels seeing continued pressure from weaker demand while fixtures and rate strength gradually increases towards the smaller vessel classes. Tanker markets are pulling back from their recent highs as tonnage moves out of the Mid...
Crude Shipments Out of the Gulf Lower than Thought, Diesel Import Plan Challenged
Tanker-tracking data shows a smaller recovery in oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz than previously thought. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, speaking by video to an international energy conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, said that oil moving through the strait was back to 80 to 90 percent...
The Decline of U.S. Wheat Export Dominance
Key Takeaways: The United States has steadily lost global wheat export market share since the 1970s, falling from the world's leading exporter to a projected fifth place in 2026/27. The rapid expansion of Black Sea wheat exports, driven by improved productivity and export infrastructure, has r...
Transportation Perspectives - 8 October
Key Takeaways: Dry bulk markets are mixed this week with the Capesize sector falling on the demand slump stemming from China’s Golden Week holiday while Panamax and smaller vessel class rates remain firm. The Atlantic’s first hurricane of the season, Hurricane Isaias, intensi...
Understanding the Difference Between Export Inspections and Export Sales
Key Takeaways: Export sales measure new commitments for future delivery, while export inspections provide a timelier gauge of grain that is physically moving through the export system. Sales and inspections often diverge from week to week because they measure different stages of the export pro...
Transportation Perspectives - 12 November
Key Takeaways: Dry bulk freight markets were stronger this week, but the rally was uneven and due to divergent dynamics across basins and vessel classes. Panamax markets were broadly higher, but Atlantic grain demand was primarily responsible while Asian activity was subdued. That trend...
FOB Prices and Freight Rates App (Updated 11 November)
WPI Grain Prices and Freight Rate App Note: you can also visit the app directly by clicking here. Supplemental Information The section below offers a concise view of the options available in the current version of the WPI FOB Price and Freight Rate app, along with a short “How To”...
Transportation Perspectives - 5 November
Key Takeaways: Fresh North Atlantic cargoes lifted Capesize hire even as iron ore voyage assessments eased, giving owners the most leverage on transatlantic business. Australian coal helped turn Panamax rates higher, but a sustained Atlantic recovery will require more grain bookings from the A...
Port Strike Averted, but New Deadline Looming and Pork Market Precarious
The brewing West Coast port strike involving about 250 maritime watchmen, or approximately 2 percent of port employees, has been postponed until 5 November after the workers agreed to extend the strike deadline. The watchmen control and inspect truck and employee access at terminal gates. A sho...
Leading Corn Exporters Serve Different Markets
Key Takeaways: The United States, Brazil, Argentina, and Ukraine dominate global corn exports, with geography, trade relationships, and seasonal production patterns shaping their competitive advantages. U.S. corn exports reached a record 87.1 MMT in 2025/26, with Mexico, Japan, South Korea, an...
Transportation Perspectives - 29 October
Key Takeaways: Dry bulk markets are mixed with Capesize rates seeing solid gains while Panamax values slipped on a growing tonnage list. Supramax and Handysize vessels were stronger, though all sectors remain vulnerable to the seasonal dip in rates through Q4 and into Q1. Falling water l...
Transportation Perspectives - 22 October
Key Takeaways: Dry bulk markets remain mixed with Capesize rates turning around from their recent weakness and posting solid gains on improved Chinese demand. Panamax vessels, on the other hand, saw rates decline amid greater tonnage availability in the South Atlantic and falling U.S. Gu...
Transportation Perspectives - 15 October
Key Takeaways: Dry bulk markets remain mixed with Capesize vessels seeing continued pressure from weaker demand while fixtures and rate strength gradually increases towards the smaller vessel classes. Tanker markets are pulling back from their recent highs as tonnage moves out of the Mid...
Crude Shipments Out of the Gulf Lower than Thought, Diesel Import Plan Challenged
Tanker-tracking data shows a smaller recovery in oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz than previously thought. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, speaking by video to an international energy conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, said that oil moving through the strait was back to 80 to 90 percent...
The Decline of U.S. Wheat Export Dominance
Key Takeaways: The United States has steadily lost global wheat export market share since the 1970s, falling from the world's leading exporter to a projected fifth place in 2026/27. The rapid expansion of Black Sea wheat exports, driven by improved productivity and export infrastructure, has r...
Transportation Perspectives - 8 October
Key Takeaways: Dry bulk markets are mixed this week with the Capesize sector falling on the demand slump stemming from China’s Golden Week holiday while Panamax and smaller vessel class rates remain firm. The Atlantic’s first hurricane of the season, Hurricane Isaias, intensi...
Understanding the Difference Between Export Inspections and Export Sales
Key Takeaways: Export sales measure new commitments for future delivery, while export inspections provide a timelier gauge of grain that is physically moving through the export system. Sales and inspections often diverge from week to week because they measure different stages of the export pro...