Tradelane Report
Mediterranean Weekly Report
US Gulf to Mediterranean chemical freight rates edged up this week as very tight October cargo space kept market sentiment firm. Read More.
South American Weekly Tradelane Report
South American Weekly Tradelane Report
1:14
USG — ESCA
Week 42 | Oct 12 – Oct 16, 2026
Market Direction
Stable
10K: $81/mt
Benchmark rates edge up but hold steady
Rates edged up only slightly, leaving 3K in the high 90s, 5K in the mid 80s and 10K in the low 80s. Regular operators still have October and November space, which keeps levels anchored for now.
Key Driver
Demand
Competing Lane Demand
Stronger US Gulf demand elsewhere could tighten available tonnage
Larger glycol, ethanol, methanol and EDC parcels are seeking space to India, the Mediterranean, ARA and Asia. If that demand keeps absorbing ships, overall US Gulf tonnage could tighten heading into November.
Market Positioning
Ample Availability
October Space Open
Regular operators retain space for October and November positions
Space remains on offer with 5K in the mid 80s and 10K in the low 80s as ECSA inquiry improves from a quiet base. Rising activity on competing trades could tighten tonnage and push freight upward into November.
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
Week 42 saw a notable increase in cargo inquiries across several tradelanes ex-USG, with larger parcels of MEG, EDC, ethanol, and methanol seeking space to WC India, the Mediterranean, ARA, and Asia for loading nearby 2h October through November. While ECSA has yet to experience the same level of demand, activity has improved compared to recent weeks. A spot 14kt MEG inquiry from the USG to Brazil was quoted but reportedly withdrawn from the market, while a 5kt base oil requirement to Rio de Janeiro was pushed back from second-half October to first-half November loading. Several traders are also circulating 5–10kt CSS inquiries to Brazil and Uruguay for late October into November, alongside a 10–15kt methanol requirement to Suape for late October/early November loading. Vessel space remains available among regular tradelane operators for both October and November positions. Although ECSA demand remains relatively subdued currently compared to other destinations, increasing activity across competing tradelanes and great demand for space could tighten overall USG tonnage availability, with freight levels projected to trend upward heading into November.
Disclaimer
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