During week 6 freight rates for shipping cargo by coasters and Handysize bulkers in the Black Sea market remained much on the previous four weeks’ level.
According to Glogos Project, freight rates for shipping wheat to the Sea of Marmara from NW Black Sea ports (Ukrainian Yuzhny, Kherson, Odessa, Nikolaev, Ilyichevsk) by coasters made $21 per ton, from W Black sea ports (Varna, Burgas, Constanta) made $19 per ton and from NE Black Sea (Novorossiysk) also $19 per ton.
Freight rates for shipping metal scrap from NW Black Sea port to Marmara remained unchanged at $25 per ton.
Freight rates for shipping coal to Marmara from W Black Sea ports made $17 per ton, and from Novorossiysk $18 per ton.
According to Glogos Project, by mid-February market participants regularly marked the smooth growth of the freight level in the Azov region on all general shipping routes. Freight cost increased by $1 in comparison with the level of the 5th week and amounted to $35 per ton basis voyage ex Rostov to Marmara with wheat.
Such movements could be explained by the fact that Charterers experience a shortage of spot tonnage, since a significant part of fleet is presently occupied at discharge in Turkish ports and most vessels show opening dates for the end of February – early March.
An assured increase of the cargo flow supports a slack but steady rise of freight rates in the Azov basin.
The forecasted deterioration of weather in the Azov area last week did realize: a severe intense squally wind led to a decline of the water level down to 3 meters in the Azov-Don Maritime Channel. Ships entrapped there are forced to idle in anticipation of the water level to go up, which is leading to queues for berthing and subsequently to demurrage accrues. A significant amount of tonnage has accumulated in the Kerch Strait area, part of which are waiting for icebreaker assistance to the ports of loading.
As soon as the requirements for ice class are officially lifted, there will be a relocation of the fleet from other regions, which shall weaken the level of freight rates.
It is expected that in late February – early March the abolition of ice restrictions will revert the fleet number in the Azov region to its previous level.
Please note that the rates cited in this article are average market rates. We ask our readers to pay attention that this information is not a commercial offer and cannot be an example for comparison in commercial disputes and arbitration proceedings.