Americas Report 13 August 2026

WCSA dry cargo rates saw a positive shift due to increased activity in the time charter and parceling markets, particularly for Handysize and Supramax vessels. With tonnage counts declining, owners raised their rate indications, prompting charterers to follow suit midway through the week. The notable tightening in the Supramax/Ultramax segment led some charterers to pay substantial premiums for late August dates, suggesting a potential strong conclusion to Q3 if current trends continue. Furthermore, annual comparisons show y-o-y gains in the Supramax segment, with WCSA to Far East rates up 61 per cent, underpinned by strong market fundamentals but also facing pressures from port congestion across key loading regions.