Baltic Exchange hosts annual forum during Singapore Week

The Baltic Exchange Freight Forum was held on 25 March as part of Singapore Maritime Week 2025, where speakers discussed a range of topics from sanctions, regulations and hedging mechanisms amid rising market uncertainty. 

Mark Jackson, CEO of Baltic Exchange, delivered his opening remarks before an audience of more than 100 guests, before a panel of industry experts took the stage to discuss the latest developments in emissions regulations.

Risk management high of priorities

With risk management high on the list of priorities amid an uncertain look, Andrew Shipley, Strategist at Eastport Maritime, spoke about the use of chemical freight benchmarks, while Johnson Leung, Director at Linerlytica, presented several use cases for container freight derivatives amid current volatility in the shipping market.

Topic of sanctions

Unexpected events are increasingly shaping global trade, and the forum concluded on the very timely topic of sanctions, as Jin Yu Cheong, Head of Baltic Exchange Asia, moderated a discussion where panellists provided expert insights on navigating the evolving geopolitical and regulatory landscape impacting international shipping.

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Capesize market

On the other hand the Capesize market started the week on a firmer note but gradually softened as activity failed to gain momentum. The BCI 5TC began positively at $22,311 but declined steadily, closing the week at $20,503.

In the Pacific, initial optimism driven by fresh cargo and miner activity was quickly overshadowed by a buildup of tonnage, leading to a steady decline in rates.

Offers on C5 slipped from $9.30 early in the week to $8.65 by week’s end, with TC rates struggling to hold above the $20,000 mark.

In the Atlantic, sentiment initially supported by tight tonnage in ballast weakened as softer fixtures emerged, particularly on the South Brazil and West Africa to China routes. C3 levels, initially in the high $25s, steadily eroded to the very low $23s, for index dates, with little resistance from market participants.

The North Atlantic saw some support from fronthaul activity, particularly with West Africa stems, however, trans-Atlantic cargo remained scarce, adding to the bearish tone.

Panamax market

A solid week for the Panamax market, as both basins saw sizeable gains. In the Atlantic, an active week saw NC South America as the common driver for both fronthaul and trans-Atlantic demand.

$20,000 was seen concluded on 82,000-dwt tonnage delivery Jorf Lasfar for a trip via NC South America redelivery Fareast, whilst further South, rates traded at contrasting levels dependent on date arrivals, voyage cargoes were seen trading at a discount to P6 equivalent but solid demand throughout April into May helped to supported timecharter rates overall.

The Pacific market rose steadily throughout the week buoyed by decent demand both ex NoPac and Australia the former seeing rates concluded at $15,000 on several index type units, activity ex Indonesia remained steady rather than spectacular but with firm levels available trips into India, rates for the P5 route gained circa $1,800 week on week as tighter tonnage impacted. Limited period activity, rates varied between $14,500 and $16,500 for 82,000-dwt types for short period.

Ultramax/Supramax

A rather uneventful week for the sector as the political uncertainty caused a more cautious approach. The Atlantic generally remained steady although there was a more positive feel from the Continent-Mediterranean as brokers spoke of better levels of enquiry.

The US Gulf remained relatively flat as brokers were saying rates remained in the mid-upper teens for fronthaul ultramax. The South Atlantic again was finely balanced although a 63,000 was heard fixed delivery Recalada trip to Egypt at $18,000. Demand remained from South Africa, a 64,000 fixing delivery Lagos via Saldanha Bay trip China at $15,000. Otherwise, the Asian arena lost ground as sentiment remained negative.

An ultramax was heard fixed delivery Far East for a NoPac round in the mid $13,000s. Otherwise a 64,000 fixed delivery Yangzhou for a trip to Bangladesh at $16,000. Backhaul business was a little subdued although a 52,000 was heard fixed basis delivery Jingtang trip to the Mediterranean at $15,000. Period activity was limited although a 57,000-dwt open Hong Kong fixed for 1 year’s trading in the $13,000s.

Handysize

This week, the market has shown a mixed performance across the regions. In the Continent and Mediterranean, there’s a sense of stability, supported by a healthy cargo book and ongoing orders.

For instance, A 33,000-dwt fixed for delivery Rotterdam trip to redelivery West Mediterranean with grains at $14,000 for Morocco and at $15,000 for Algeria. In the South Atlantic and US Gulf, market fundamentals remained generally slow.

A 39,000-dwt heard fixed for delivery Recalada to redelivery Salvador-Fortaleza range with grains at $14,750. Meanwhile, in Asia, the market remained healthy, with a steady demand-supply balance, particularly in Southeast Asia, several strong fixtures reported.

A 38,000-dwt open Villanueva 27 March onward heard fixed via Dampier to China with salt at $13,300. Period activity was limited, although a 28,000-dwt open North China fixed 3/5 months trading at $10,350.

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