--- title: Far East Weekly Tradelane Report description: US Gulf to Far East chemical tanker freight rates firmed sharply this week as methanol demand and fresh chemical inquiry tightened space. image: https://www.spimarine.com/hubfs/FEAST.jpg --- [![SPI Marine — Specialty Cargo Shipping Broker](https://www.spimarine.com/hubfs/SPI%20Marine%20Logo%202026.svg)](https://www.spimarine.com) - [Home](https://www.spimarine.com) - [The Current](https://www.spimarine.com/the-current) - [Trade Lane Reports](https://www.spimarine.com/the-current/tag/tradelane-report) - Ex: USG - [Transatlantic](https://www.spimarine.com/the-current/transatlantic-weekly-tradelane-report) - [Far East](https://www.spimarine.com/the-current/far-east-weekly-tradelane-report) - [Mediterranean](https://www.spimarine.com/the-current/mediterranean-weekly-report) - [West Coast India](https://www.spimarine.com/the-current/west-coast-india-weekly-tradelane-report) - [South America](https://www.spimarine.com/the-current/south-american-weekly-tradelane-report) - [Iran Watch](https://www.spimarine.com/the-current/iran-watch) - [About Us](https://www.spimarine.com/about-us) - [Services & Expertise](https://www.spimarine.com/services-and-expertise) - [ISO Tank Services](https://www.spimarine.com/iso-tank-container-brokerage) - [Partner With Us](https://www.spimarine.com/partner-with-us) - [Our Story](https://www.spimarine.com/about-us/our-story) - [Locations](https://www.spimarine.com/locations) - [Houston, TX](https://www.spimarine.com/offices/houston) - [Newark, United Kingdom](https://www.spimarine.com/newark) - [Norwalk, CT](https://www.spimarine.com/offices/norwalk) - [Rotterdam, The Netherlands](https://www.spimarine.com/offices/rotterdam) - [Seoul, South Korea](https://www.spimarine.com/offices/seoul) - [Shanghai, China](https://www.spimarine.com/offices/shanghai) - [Singapore](https://www.spimarine.com/offices/singapore) - [Sohar, Oman](https://www.spimarine.com/offices/sohar) - [Contact Us](https://www.spimarine.com/contact-us) # Far East Weekly Tradelane Report [Tradelane Report](https://www.spimarine.com/the-current/tag/tradelane-report) [FEAST](https://www.spimarine.com/the-current/tag/feast) Nov 4, 2026 5 min read [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https://www.spimarine.com/the-current/far-east-weekly-tradelane-report) Far East Weekly Tradelane Report 1:24 --- **Table of Contents** [Weekly Summary](https://www.spimarine.com/the-current/far-east-weekly-tradelane-report#summary) [Freight Trends](https://www.spimarine.com/the-current/far-east-weekly-tradelane-report#freight-trends) [Notable Fixtures & Market Quotes](https://www.spimarine.com/the-current/far-east-weekly-tradelane-report#market-info)   SPI Marine - Far East Weekly Tradelane Report ## Weekly Summary USG — FEAST Week 44  |  Oct 26 – Oct 30, 2026 Market Direction Firming 3K: $130/mt Rates climb sharply across all parcel sizes 3K moved into the low 130s, 5K into the low 110s and 10K edged up in the high 80s, with larger sizes climbing more steeply. Methanol fixing and a large amount of firm chemical inquiry drove freight higher. Key Driver Demand Methanol Demand Methanol fixing and firm chemical inquiry push freight higher Various MRs have fixed methanol over the past one to two weeks, and that market is touching levels last seen at the Iran war outbreak. Firm chemical inquiry has emerged alongside it, lifting chemical freight accordingly. Market Positioning Tight Positioning Open Space Tight Space on fully open ships is tight 3K sits in the low 130s and 5K in the low 110s, with pockets of space remaining on the tradelane. Firmer freight is expected into year end as chemical inquiry and methanol demand persist. Trade Lane US Gulf Coast → Far East The **USG-FEAST corridor** is one of the longest haul specialty cargo routes in the global tanker market, connecting US Gulf export terminals with receivers across South Korea, Japan, and China. Ulsan serves as the primary Korean discharge hub, anchoring demand from the region's major petrochemical complexes. The lane moves methanol, chemicals, and clean petroleum products on MR, LR1, and LR2 tonnage, with voyage durations of approximately 35 to 45 days depending on Panama Canal routing and vessel class. Canal slot availability and auction pricing are structural variables on this corridor — congestion at Panama can drive significant rate divergence between vessels routing via the Canal and those transiting via the Cape of Good Hope.  Benchmarks MR / LR1 / LR2 Panama Canal Ulsan Cape of Good Hope Methanol drove a sharp firming on the US Gulf to Far East trade this week, with rates pushed up across all segments. Various MRs have fixed over the past one to two weeks, and the MR market is touching levels last seen at the outbreak of the Iran war, while smaller ships out of Trinidad kept to their usual fixing patterns. A large amount of firm chemical inquiry has emerged, and chemical tonnage is pushing freight up accordingly. 3K moved into the low 130s, 5K into the low 110s and 10K edged up in the high 80s, with larger sizes climbing more steeply. A 38,000 mt methanol cargo from Geismar fixed in the mid 130s, and a 20,000 mt EDC requirement to Merak progressed to subs. Space on fully open ships is tight, though pockets remain on the tradelane, and firmer freight is expected into year end. SPI Marine - Far East Weekly Tradelane Report ## Freight Trends SPI Marine - Far East Weekly Tradelane Report ## Notable Fixtures & Market Quotes #### Disclaimer *This information is provided in good faith on an as-is basis without guarantee, representation, or warranty. Freight market commentary, trade lane analysis, and related content are indicative and for general guidance only. This content does not constitute investment, legal, chartering, or financial advice and should not be relied upon as the basis for any commercial decision. Use of this information is at your own risk. To the fullest extent permitted by law, SPI Marine and its affiliates accept no liability for reliance placed on this content. This content is protected by copyright in favor of SPI Marine Group and its affiliates. Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, or republication is prohibited. 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[Read More.](https://www.spimarine.com/the-current/west-coast-india-weekly-tradelane-report) Nov 4, 2026 Tradelane Report ### [Transatlantic Weekly Tradelane Report](https://www.spimarine.com/the-current/transatlantic-weekly-tradelane-report) US Gulf to Northwest Europe chemical tanker freight rates firmed this week as product tanker competition kept vessel space scarce. [Read More.](https://www.spimarine.com/the-current/transatlantic-weekly-tradelane-report) Nov 4, 2026 ## ![SPI Marine logo for The Current blog](https://www.spimarine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/spi-the-current-logo-alt.png?width=348&height=110&name=spi-the-current-logo-alt.png) Tradelane rates, fixture activity, and commodity intelligence from the SPI Marine team — delivered directly to your inbox. Trusted by logistics and procurement professionals across the global specialty cargo sector.  Stay Ahead of the Market *We respect your privacy. 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