Americas Report 07 May 2026

The West Coast South America (WCSA) market is gaining momentum, exhibiting a shift towards bullish sentiment as available tonnage decreases, with Supramax rates rising significantly. Weekly rate averages for Supramax in WCSA show increases to USD 22.50 per day for the Far East, while the market trend indicates charterers are proactively securing cargoes to counter tightening conditions. Despite ongoing congestion in the Panama Canal and at Puerto Quetzal, WCSA routes are experiencing substantial year-over-year rate increases, with Supramax rates on routes to the US Gulf showing a notable 48 per cent rise compared to the previous year.