Dry-bulk freight rates soften across most segments as global supply and demand balance shifts.
Global supply & demand
The DBPI pressure index has decreased by 59 points day-over-day to 2051.7, indicating a neutral market condition. The Global LSR (laden sailing ratio) remains relatively flat at 58%, suggesting that the world fleet is balanced. The laden vs ballast split shows 379M dwt laden versus 277M dwt ballast, which supports this balanced view. The world port/sea ratio of 0.50 also indicates a balanced market, as it suggests that there is not an excessive amount of tonnage tied up in ports or at anchorage. Notably, Kamsarmax vessels are seeing the strongest demand, particularly on routes from East Australia to South Japan.
The supply and demand balance across different tonnage bands is varied, with some segments showing signs of firming while others are softening. However, overall, the market appears to be trending towards a more balanced state. The LSR and port/sea ratio suggest that there is not a significant surplus or deficit of open tonnage, which should help to stabilize rates.
Band-by-band breakdown
Every tonnage band we track, in size order — its assessed rate, momentum versus a balanced market, and the load regions driving it. A band still accruing enough tracked activity is shown as building.
0-5K — ~$4448/day ($-196 d/d); 2681 voyages, 5283469 kt-miles tracked
Momentum: +29% vs balanced, -2.7% day, -23.2% week (relative to a balanced market).
SOUTH NORWAY — ~$7909/day
Supply/demand — 13 ships open (~47k dwt); inbound ballast 20 vs laden 32; ballast-share 41%; demand-pull rel 1.60; scarcity 1.30. Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull -13% (ballast interest thinning here (softening)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Rekefjord (PAI 6.0), Drammen (PAI 4.9), Kragero (PAI 3.9). Busiest lanes out — SOUTH NORWAY→GERMANY (50 voyages, ~$5295/day); SOUTH NORWAY→DENMARK (51 voyages, ~$5295/day); SOUTH NORWAY→SOUTH NORWAY (102 voyages, ~$5295/day).
NETHERLANDS — ~$7299/day
Supply/demand — 30 ships open (~103k dwt); inbound ballast 19 vs laden 35; ballast-share 35%; demand-pull rel 1.48; scarcity 1.21. Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +90% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Vlissingen (PAI 8.8), Rotterdam Waalhaven (PAI 6.1), Velsen Noord (PAI 6.0). Busiest lanes out — NETHERLANDS→SPAIN (21 voyages, ~$5972/day); NETHERLANDS→SWEDEN (25 voyages, ~$5972/day); NETHERLANDS→SOUTH NORWAY (23 voyages, ~$5972/day).
RUSSIA — ~$6255/day
Supply/demand — 24 ships open (~84k dwt); inbound ballast 78 vs laden 85; ballast-share 48%; demand-pull rel 1.26; scarcity 0.76. Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull -10% (ballast interest thinning here (softening)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Astrakhan (PAI 8.6), Rostov-On-Don (PAI 8.0). Busiest lanes out — RUSSIA→IRAN (20 voyages, ~$5972/day); RUSSIA→WEST TURKEY (16 voyages, ~$5972/day); RUSSIA→NORTH TURKEY (24 voyages, ~$5972/day).
GERMANY — ~$7909/day
Supply/demand — 18 ships open (~68k dwt); inbound ballast 18 vs laden 24; ballast-share 39%; demand-pull rel 1.60; scarcity 1.30. Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +80% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Hamburg (PAI 17.1), Rostock (PAI 15.6), Brake (PAI 9.2). Busiest lanes out — GERMANY→SOUTH NORWAY (27 voyages, ~$5342/day); GERMANY→NORTH UNITED KINGDOM (25 voyages, ~$5342/day); GERMANY→SPAIN (12 voyages, ~$5342/day).
SPAIN — ~$6688/day
Supply/demand — 8 ships open (~31k dwt); inbound ballast 12 vs laden 29; ballast-share 34%; demand-pull rel 1.35; scarcity 1.16. Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +20% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Santander (PAI 4.4). Busiest lanes out — SPAIN→NETHERLANDS (18 voyages, ~$5007/day); SPAIN→SOUTH UNITED KINGDOM (18 voyages, ~$5007/day); SPAIN→NORTH UNITED KINGDOM (13 voyages, ~$5007/day).
5-10K — ~$5979/day ($-128 d/d); 1879 voyages, 10709948 kt-miles tracked
Momentum: +13% vs balanced, +5.0% day, -21.0% week (relative to a balanced market).
RUSSIA — ~$10211/day
Supply/demand — 23 ships open (~160k dwt); inbound ballast 93 vs laden 29; ballast-share 72%; demand-pull rel 1.60; scarcity 0.74. Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull -14% (ballast interest thinning here (softening)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Rostov-On-Don (PAI 7.1), Kavkaz (PAI 3.9). Busiest lanes out — RUSSIA→NORTH TURKEY (43 voyages, ~$8677/day); RUSSIA→WEST TURKEY (24 voyages, ~$8677/day); RUSSIA→IRAN (9 voyages, ~$8677/day).
VIETNAM — ~$6369/day
Supply/demand — 19 ships open (~138k dwt); inbound ballast 7 vs laden 14; ballast-share 38%; demand-pull rel 1.00; scarcity 1.08. Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull -46% (ballast interest thinning here (softening)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Ho Chi Minh (PAI 3.7). Busiest lanes out — VIETNAM→PHILIPPINES (24 voyages, ~$6204/day); VIETNAM→SOUTH KOREA (5 voyages, ~$6204/day); VIETNAM→VIETNAM (36 voyages, ~$6204/day).
SOUTH NORWAY — ~$10211/day
Supply/demand — 7 ships open (~46k dwt); inbound ballast 10 vs laden 12; ballast-share 44%; demand-pull rel 1.60; scarcity 1.30. Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +25% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Drammen (PAI 3.7), Rekefjord (PAI 3.7). Busiest lanes out — SOUTH NORWAY→GERMANY (33 voyages, ~$8074/day); SOUTH NORWAY→SOUTH NORWAY (56 voyages, ~$8074/day); SOUTH NORWAY→DENMARK (30 voyages, ~$8074/day).
SOUTH JAPAN — ~$10211/day
Supply/demand — 4 ships open (~24k dwt); inbound ballast 16 vs laden 15; ballast-share 47%; demand-pull rel 1.60; scarcity 1.17. Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +23% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Fukuyama (PAI 3.7). Busiest lanes out — SOUTH JAPAN→THAILAND (4 voyages, ~$8616/day); SOUTH JAPAN→PHILIPPINES (6 voyages, ~$8616/day); SOUTH JAPAN→SOUTH KOREA (30 voyages, ~$8616/day).
WEST INDONESIA — ~$9597/day
Supply/demand — 20 ships open (~152k dwt); inbound ballast 11 vs laden 16; ballast-share 45%; demand-pull rel 1.50; scarcity 1.11. Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull -48% (ballast interest thinning here (softening)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Surabaya (PAI 4.2). Busiest lanes out — WEST INDONESIA→EAST INDONESIA (16 voyages, ~$8591/day); WEST INDONESIA→WEST INDONESIA (76 voyages, ~$8591/day); WEST INDONESIA→SOUTH KOREA (2 voyages, ~$8591/day).
10-17.5K — ~$8636/day ($-832 d/d); 655 voyages, 15633785 kt-miles tracked
Momentum: +24% vs balanced, -9.1% day, -18.2% week (relative to a balanced market).
SOUTH JAPAN — ~$12499/day
Supply/demand — 28 ships open (~379k dwt); inbound ballast 22 vs laden 18; ballast-share 50%; demand-pull rel 1.44; scarcity 1.00. Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +5% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Fukuyama (PAI 6.5). Busiest lanes out — SOUTH JAPAN→THAILAND (16 voyages, ~$12212/day); SOUTH JAPAN→VIETNAM (13 voyages, ~$12212/day); SOUTH JAPAN→WEST INDONESIA (8 voyages, ~$12212/day).
WEST INDONESIA — ~$13927/day
Supply/demand — 11 ships open (~138k dwt); inbound ballast 13 vs laden 11; ballast-share 49%; demand-pull rel 1.60; scarcity 1.24. Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +44% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Busiest lanes out — WEST INDONESIA→SOUTH JAPAN (11 voyages, ~$12456/day); WEST INDONESIA→NORTH JAPAN (7 voyages, ~$12456/day); WEST INDONESIA→NORTH CHINA (8 voyages, ~$12456/day).
MID CHINA — ~$12624/day
Supply/demand — 17 ships open (~229k dwt); inbound ballast 15 vs laden 10; ballast-share 51%; demand-pull rel 1.45; scarcity 0.99. Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +36% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Shanghai (PAI 6.6). Busiest lanes out — MID CHINA→SOUTH MALAYSIA (7 voyages, ~$9814/day); MID CHINA→WC INDIA (5 voyages, ~$9814/day); MID CHINA→EAST INDONESIA (6 voyages, ~$9814/day).
VIETNAM — ~$12983/day
Supply/demand — 11 ships open (~147k dwt); inbound ballast 11 vs laden 9; ballast-share 49%; demand-pull rel 1.49; scarcity 1.07. Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +0% (ballast interest broadly steady). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Ho Chi Minh (PAI 3.8). Busiest lanes out — VIETNAM→SOUTH JAPAN (8 voyages, ~$10467/day); VIETNAM→NORTH CHINA (6 voyages, ~$10467/day); VIETNAM→PHILIPPINES (8 voyages, ~$10467/day).
EAST INDONESIA — ~$10807/day
Supply/demand — 6 ships open (~83k dwt); inbound ballast 12 vs laden 10; ballast-share 48%; demand-pull rel 1.24; scarcity 0.91. Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +100% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Obi Island (PAI 4.2). Busiest lanes out — EAST INDONESIA→NORTH CHINA (6 voyages, ~$10016/day); EAST INDONESIA→SOUTH CHINA (7 voyages, ~$10016/day); EAST INDONESIA→MID CHINA (4 voyages, ~$10016/day).
17.5-30K — ~$12161/day ($+576 d/d); 50 voyages, 3936618 kt-miles tracked
Momentum: +40% vs balanced, -1.3% day, -12.3% week (relative to a balanced market).
WEST INDONESIA
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull -14% (ballast interest thinning here (softening)). Busiest lanes out — WEST INDONESIA→SOUTH JAPAN (6 voyages, ~$14147/day); WEST INDONESIA→NORTH CHINA (4 voyages, ~$14147/day).
NORTH CHINA
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +45% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Tianjin (PAI 5.5), Caofeidian (PAI 3.8). Busiest lanes out — NORTH CHINA→WEST INDONESIA (9 voyages, ~$14556/day).
FINLAND
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +36% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Busiest lanes out — FINLAND→USEC (6 voyages, ~$10868/day).
USEC
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +38% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Busiest lanes out — USEC→WEST INDONESIA (2 voyages, ~$11502/day).
SOUTH JAPAN
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +45% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Busiest lanes out — SOUTH JAPAN→BANGLADESH (5 voyages, ~$14556/day).
30-47K — ~$11288/day ($+252 d/d); 110 voyages, 23642020 kt-miles tracked
Momentum: +10% vs balanced, +0.9% day, -14.9% week (relative to a balanced market).
NEW ZEALAND
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +13% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Tauranga (PAI 4.7). Busiest lanes out — NEW ZEALAND→NORTH CHINA (27 voyages, ~$10475/day); NEW ZEALAND→MID CHINA (7 voyages, ~$10475/day).
NORTH ARGENTINA
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +15% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: San Lorenzo (PAI 25.3), Rosario (PAI 9.4). Busiest lanes out — NORTH ARGENTINA→ALGERIA (10 voyages, ~$16730/day); NORTH ARGENTINA→MOROCCO (10 voyages, ~$16730/day).
BALTIC RUSSIA
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +49% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: St Petersburg (PAI 7.9), Ust-Luga (PAI 6.0). Busiest lanes out — BALTIC RUSSIA→SOUTH BRAZIL (9 voyages, ~$11735/day).
WEST AUSTRALIA
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +13% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Bunbury (PAI 4.7). Busiest lanes out — WEST AUSTRALIA→NORTH CHINA (13 voyages, ~$10475/day).
UNITED STATES PACIFIC
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +42% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Busiest lanes out — UNITED STATES PACIFIC→SOUTH JAPAN (11 voyages, ~$6697/day).
47-55K — ~$17972/day ($-64 d/d); 202 voyages, 9646931 kt-miles tracked
Momentum: +80% vs balanced, +2.6% day, -18.1% week (relative to a balanced market).
NORTH CHINA
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +11% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Caofeidian (PAI 11.3), Huanghua (PAI 10.5), Qinhuangdao (PAI 9.6). Busiest lanes out — NORTH CHINA→MID CHINA (83 voyages, ~$19599/day); NORTH CHINA→COTE D IVOIRE (2 voyages, ~$19599/day); NORTH CHINA→NORTH CHINA (63 voyages, ~$19599/day).
WEST INDONESIA
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull -19% (ballast interest thinning here (softening)). Busiest lanes out — WEST INDONESIA→EAST INDONESIA (13 voyages, ~$19599/day); WEST INDONESIA→COMORES ISLANDS (3 voyages, ~$19599/day).
PHILIPPINES
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull -19% (ballast interest thinning here (softening)). Busiest lanes out — PHILIPPINES→NORTH CHINA (15 voyages, ~$19599/day).
SOUTH BRAZIL
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull -12% (ballast interest thinning here (softening)). Busiest lanes out — SOUTH BRAZIL→SOUTH CHINA (2 voyages, ~$11663/day).
VIETNAM
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull -19% (ballast interest thinning here (softening)). Busiest lanes out — VIETNAM→NORTH CHINA (8 voyages, ~$19599/day).
55-68K — ~$15891/day ($-963 d/d); 132 voyages, 40825077 kt-miles tracked
Momentum: +39% vs balanced, -1.4% day, -14.2% week (relative to a balanced market).
EAST SOUTH AFRICA
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +0% (ballast interest broadly steady). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Durban (PAI 7.0), Richards Bay (PAI 6.9), Port Elizabeth (PAI 6.1). Busiest lanes out — EAST SOUTH AFRICA→NORTH CHINA (13 voyages, ~$15248/day); EAST SOUTH AFRICA→PAKISTAN (12 voyages, ~$15248/day).
SOUTH BRAZIL
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +12% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Santos (PAI 13.3), Portocel (PAI 3.8). Busiest lanes out — SOUTH BRAZIL→BANGLADESH (8 voyages, ~$14598/day); SOUTH BRAZIL→USEC (16 voyages, ~$14598/day).
NORTH CHINA
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +1% (ballast interest broadly steady). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Tianjin (PAI 14.8), Caofeidian (PAI 7.5), Lianyungang (PAI 6.7). Busiest lanes out — NORTH CHINA→PERU (9 voyages, ~$20067/day); NORTH CHINA→MEXICO (6 voyages, ~$20067/day).
PERU
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +6% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Busiest lanes out — PERU→NORTH CHINA (7 voyages, ~$9508/day).
UNITED STATES PACIFIC
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +16% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Busiest lanes out — UNITED STATES PACIFIC→PHILIPPINES (10 voyages, ~$10490/day).
68-90K — ~$18601/day ($-869 d/d); 366 voyages, 87411619 kt-miles tracked
Momentum: +64% vs balanced, -9.1% day, -30.7% week (relative to a balanced market).
EAST AUSTRALIA
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull -19% (ballast interest thinning here (softening)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Newcastle (PAI 19.6). Busiest lanes out — EAST AUSTRALIA→SOUTH JAPAN (34 voyages, ~$17865/day); EAST AUSTRALIA→SOUTH CHINA (31 voyages, ~$17865/day).
UNITED STATES PACIFIC
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull -13% (ballast interest thinning here (softening)). Busiest lanes out — UNITED STATES PACIFIC→SOUTH JAPAN (22 voyages, ~$12237/day); UNITED STATES PACIFIC→SOUTH KOREA (18 voyages, ~$12237/day).
WEST INDONESIA
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +3% (ballast interest broadly steady). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Taboneo Anch (PAI 10.0), Bunati (PAI 7.1), Tanjung Pemancingan (PAI 4.5). Busiest lanes out — WEST INDONESIA→SOUTH CHINA (85 voyages, ~$22971/day).
USEC
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +19% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Baltimore (PAI 6.2), Norfolk (PAI 6.2). Busiest lanes out — USEC→WC INDIA (11 voyages, ~$18335/day).
NORTH CHINA
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +8% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Huanghua (PAI 8.8), Caofeidian (PAI 8.2), Qinhuangdao (PAI 5.8). Busiest lanes out — NORTH CHINA→SOUTH CHINA (88 voyages, ~$22971/day).
90-120K — ~$27834/day ($+81 d/d); 111 voyages, 42510905 kt-miles tracked
Momentum: +110% vs balanced, +2.2% day, +2.7% week (relative to a balanced market).
NORTH AUSTRALIA
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull -2% (ballast interest broadly steady). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Hay Point (PAI 5.5), Gladstone (PAI 5.0), Port Hedland (PAI 4.5). Busiest lanes out — NORTH AUSTRALIA→NORTH CHINA (18 voyages, ~$27834/day); NORTH AUSTRALIA→SOUTH JAPAN (12 voyages, ~$27834/day); NORTH AUSTRALIA→VIETNAM (15 voyages, ~$27834/day).
EAST AUSTRALIA
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull -2% (ballast interest broadly steady). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Newcastle (PAI 10.9). Busiest lanes out — EAST AUSTRALIA→SOUTH JAPAN (16 voyages, ~$27834/day); EAST AUSTRALIA→NORTH JAPAN (9 voyages, ~$27834/day); EAST AUSTRALIA→TAIWAN (10 voyages, ~$27834/day).
WEST AUSTRALIA
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull -2% (ballast interest broadly steady). Busiest lanes out — WEST AUSTRALIA→NORTH CHINA (6 voyages, ~$27834/day).
120-190K — ~$26466/day ($-1601 d/d); 293 voyages, 216865802 kt-miles tracked
Momentum: +56% vs balanced, -1.3% day, -31.4% week (relative to a balanced market).
NORTH AUSTRALIA
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +11% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Port Hedland (PAI 30.5), Port Walcott (PAI 12.0), Dampier (PAI 11.4). Busiest lanes out — NORTH AUSTRALIA→NORTH CHINA (142 voyages, ~$28155/day); NORTH AUSTRALIA→SOUTH CHINA (48 voyages, ~$28155/day); NORTH AUSTRALIA→MID CHINA (39 voyages, ~$28155/day).
GUINEA
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +7% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Bel Air Tsz (PAI 4.9). Busiest lanes out — GUINEA→NORTH CHINA (10 voyages, ~$14279/day).
PERU
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +33% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Busiest lanes out — PERU→NORTH CHINA (7 voyages, ~$11339/day).
SOUTH BRAZIL
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +6% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Itaguai (PAI 4.9). Busiest lanes out — SOUTH BRAZIL→NORTH CHINA (4 voyages, ~$35048/day).
EAST AUSTRALIA
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +11% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Newcastle (PAI 6.8). Busiest lanes out — EAST AUSTRALIA→SOUTH KOREA (8 voyages, ~$28155/day).
190-250K — ~$34019/day ($+904 d/d); 215 voyages, 201510269 kt-miles tracked
Momentum: +77% vs balanced, -2.3% day, -22.6% week (relative to a balanced market).
NORTH AUSTRALIA
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +8% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Port Hedland (PAI 27.7), Port Walcott (PAI 7.9), Dampier (PAI 4.3). Busiest lanes out — NORTH AUSTRALIA→NORTH CHINA (100 voyages, ~$39977/day); NORTH AUSTRALIA→SOUTH JAPAN (31 voyages, ~$39977/day); NORTH AUSTRALIA→MID CHINA (21 voyages, ~$39977/day).
GUINEA
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull -20% (ballast interest thinning here (softening)). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Dougoufissa Creek, GN Anchorage (PAI 3.6). Busiest lanes out — GUINEA→NORTH CHINA (14 voyages, ~$20535/day); GUINEA→EC INDIA (6 voyages, ~$20535/day); GUINEA→SOUTH CHINA (3 voyages, ~$20535/day).
SOUTH BRAZIL
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +0% (ballast interest broadly steady). Load hubs where cargo is concentrating: Itaguai (PAI 5.4). Busiest lanes out — SOUTH BRAZIL→NORTH CHINA (10 voyages, ~$27386/day).
NORTH CHILE
Leading signal — 7-day ballast-pull +33% (empty ships building toward this load zone (firming)). Busiest lanes out — NORTH CHILE→NORTH CHINA (3 voyages, ~$12934/day).
Outlook (forward view)
Looking ahead, the momentum indicators suggest a mixed picture for the dry-bulk freight market. While some bands are showing signs of firming, such as the 17.5-30K segment, others are softening, like the 68-90K segment. The week-over-week and day-over-day momentum readings also indicate a generally softer tone, with most bands seeing declines in rates. However, the per-lane 7-day ballast-pull trend is more positive, with many load zones seeing an increase in empty ships building towards them, which could lead to firmer rates in the coming days.
Based on these forward signals, it appears that the market may be range-bound over the coming weeks, with some segments potentially firming while others continue to soften. The 190-250K segment, for example, may see some upward pressure on rates due to strong ballast-pull trends and positive momentum indicators. However, this is a model-and-momentum scenario read, not a guarantee, and actual market outcomes may differ. As always, market participants should closely monitor the latest data and adjust their strategies accordingly.