Charter rates in the dry bulk sector witnessed significant upward movement during the week ending December 7, 2025, led by strong performance in Cape-size vessels. Industry reports highlighted an exponential rate increase despite earlier volatility, demonstrating renewed strength in the market.
Cape-size Rates Reach Multi-Month Highs
MID-SHIP Group's Dry Bulk Freight Market Report released December 3, 2025 detailed a significant uptick for Cape-size vessels (180,000 DWT), with time charter averages reaching $44,700 per day; this marked a dramatic surge from $9,100 at the beginning of 2025 and followed an exceptional November where spot rates averaged over $30,000 midweek prior to November 21.
On December 1, 2025, Cement Report #32 noted Capes closing November 21 at $30,292, up from $26,968 the week prior and continuing into early December with strong market momentum due to increased demand and limited tonnage availability.
Panamax and Smaller Segments Are Firm Up
Compass Maritimes' weekly market report captured rate stability with gains across segments for this week when compared to last. Panamax (75,000 DWT) rates rose from $14,400 to $14,500 while Supramax (52,000 DWT) increased from $14,000. These adjustments suggest sustained pressure on mid-sized dry bulk rates.
Hellenic Shipping News released weekly dry time charter estimates on December 10, 2025 in line with this trend, while its specific figures underscored ongoing market monitoring into the new week.
Background from Broader Market Reports
Safe Bulkers' Q3 2025 financials, released November 25, 2025, offered a snapshot of contracted rates, with Capesize vessels averaging $24,780 daily charter hire and 1.7 years remaining duration (generating $124.4 million net of commissions) while time charter equivalent rates rose sequentially averaging $15507 averaged during this quarter.
UNCTAD analysis through June 2025 noted a steady rise in vessel classes' demands, with dry bulk segments such as Panamax seeing daily demand surge by 10% year-on-year while Supramax showed 21% increases over this timeframe - supporting recent accelerations seen since December.
Stability of Tanker and Container Systems
Compass reported Suezmax (150,000 DWT) steady at $40,750 per DWT, Aframax at $31,500 and MR at $19,500 showing no weekly variation but firm levels. Fearnleys weekly report also confirmed VLCC rates remaining steady within W120s for MEG/east trades.
Braemar and Alphaliner reported container charter activity as being relatively subdued over recent data, though prior surges had seen small vessels of 1,000-1,900 TEU size surge in demand. No major fixtures were slated for any particular week but overall market dynamics continued to be influenced by ongoing trade disruptions.
Recent developments indicate a bright end to 2025 for dry bulk chartering, with Cape-size vessels leading the charge and ripple effects across segments positioning owners favorably heading into year-end.