Tradelane Report
Mediterranean Weekly Report
US Gulf to Mediterranean chemical tanker rates firmed this week as a wave of new cargo inquiry outpaced the limited supply of open ships. Read More.
South American Weekly Tradelane Report
South American Weekly Tradelane Report
1:14
USG — ESCA
Week 45 | Nov 2 – Nov 6, 2026
Market Direction
Firming
10K: $84/mt
Rates edge higher across all parcel sizes.
Benchmarks edged up across all sizes, with 3K in the low 100s, 5K in the low 90s and 10K in the mid 80s. A substantial rise in ethanol demand for November loading lifted vessel employment.
Key Driver
Demand
Ethanol Demand
November ethanol demand lifts vessel employment on the trade.
Ethanol cargoes for November loading drove a clear step up in fixing, including a 30kt cargo and three J19 vessels reportedly fixed for Brazil. Caustic soda requirements to Brazil also continue to feature.
Market Positioning
Tight Positioning
November Space Limited
November space nears completion as attention shifts to December.
Regular operators appear close to completing November programs, with 5K in the low 90s and 10K in the mid 80s. Tightening availability for end-November and December positions has freight levels projected to firm into December.
Trade Lane
US Gulf Coast
→
East Coast South America
The USG-ECSA corridor connects US Gulf export terminals with receivers across Brazil's primary industrial and agricultural ports, with Santos serving as the dominant discharge hub. The lane carries a broad range of sensitive liquid cargoes including caustic soda to aluminum smelters at São Luís and Barcarena, methanol, and chemical intermediates supporting Brazil's expanding petrochemical sector. Fixing activity is driven by MR and Handysize tonnage positioning in the Atlantic basin, with voyage durations of approximately 14 to 18 days from USG to Santos. Brazilian industrial nomination cycles and agricultural season logistics create recurring demand patterns that inform both spot and term market dynamics on this corridor.
Benchmarks
MR Atlantic Basket
MR / Handysize
Santos
Paranaguá
Activity on the US Gulf to East Coast South America trade increased in Week 45, driven primarily by a substantial rise in ethanol demand for November loading. A 30kt ethanol cargo was concluded for second-half November loading, while three additional J19 vessels were reportedly fixed for full ethanol cargoes to Brazil. Several traders continue to push caustic soda requirements to Brazil for November. The surge marks a clear step up in vessel employment from previous weeks, with regular operators appearing close to completing their November programs. Benchmarks edged up, with 3K in the low 100s, 5K in the low 90s and 10K in the mid 80s. With November space increasingly limited, attention is shifting toward end-November and December positions, and freight levels are projected to firm into December on stronger demand and tightening vessel availability.
Disclaimer
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