Dry bulk freight markets continued to strengthen this week, this time with the Supramax and Panamax sectors in the lead. Improved grain demand off the U.S. East Coast  and supported values, alongside stronger interest in coal from South America. Baltic coal demand was also said to be “soaking up tonnage” this week. Tightness in ballaster inventories was the final factor that helped push rates higher.  The Capesize sector saw rates firm as well, with miners and operators both looking for mid-September dates. Volumes in the Pacific are holding up better than expected with spot tonnage from the Far East tightening noticeably. Ballasting tonnage is weighted toward the end of September/early October with only a handful stil...