Asian Panamax rates for dry bulk cargo are likely to inch up later this week on brisk demand for grain shipment after easing slightly in thin trade last week on the New Year holidays, Reuters reported. "The freight market is expected to gain momentum with the regional business returning to normal after the New Year holiday, and on expectation of active grain chartering before the Chinese New Year holiday starts," said a shipping broker in Seoul. The Lunar New Year falls on January 24. Offices in the Chinese community are likely to remain shut until as late as January 28 and the South Korean market will be closed from January 23 to 25. Panamax rates for the U.S.
