Platts proposes to amend Panamax/Kamsarmax South Atlantic fronthaul freight assessment cargo sizes, laycan; launch additional assessment Aug 1

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, proposes to update the cargo sizes and laycan for its East Coast South America-Far East Panamax/Kamsarmax dry bulk freight assessments, effective Aug. 1, 2025.

The proposal involves a change of cargo size for the below assessments to 66,000 mt from 60,000 mt. Platts understands that the predominant grain cargo size for fronthaul shipments on this route has increased to a 66,000 mt basis.

This proposal is based on robust industry consultations, market data and feedback.

The affected assessments would be as follows:

In addition, following market feedback, Platts proposes to amend the laycan for the assessments above to 22-35 days forward from 10-30 days forward to better capture rates on the primary fronthaul grains freight market out of the ECSA.

Simultaneously, to enhance the coverage of the most prompt fronthaul freight market out of the ECSA, Platts proposes the launch of two $/mt assessments with a laycan of 7-21 days forward for the below routes, also effective Aug. 1, 2025.

DBF Grains Santos Brazil-Qingdao N China 66kt Kamsarmax $/mt

DBF Grains Bahia Blanca Argentina-Qingdao N China 66kt Kamsarmax $/mt

These prices would be assessed at 1630 London timestamp and follow the London publishing schedule.

The assessments would be published on the Platts Dry Freight Wire and the Daily Grains publications, along with existing assessments.

Platts invites any feedback, comments or questions regarding all aspects of the proposal by July 3 to dryfreight@spglobal.com and pricegroup@platts.com

For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing.

Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.