The market is stable, and activity remains high. Plenty of cargoes are being proposed ex Azov, Rostov, Yeisk and Temryuk ports and such situation has led to the fact that there are no spot vessels on the market.
On the other hand, according to Rufko shipbrokers, some traders are reporting that there are difficulties with grain sales to Turkey and freight has to be corrected downwards to ignite sales.
This week freight rates to the Sea of Marmara from Rostov make $34-35 per ton and from Yeisk $33-34 per ton.
Freight rates to SE Black Sea ports from Rostov are $32-33 per ton, and from Yeisk $31-32 per ton.
The Caspian market shows stability during the entire winter period. Rates are moving sideways with a fluctuation corridor as much as $5-7.
Steel shipments ex Astrakhan are quite rare and the levels offered ($24-27 per ton) are significantly lower than for grain cargoes. Thus, steel is not supporting now grain shipments and most likely same situation is going to continue until end of Nowruz in late March.
Freight rates from Astrakhan to Iran are $41-44 per ton.
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.