This week the Sea of Azov market is reviving a bit, some cargoes appear, and it looks like the fatal freight decline of the last month has stopped.
However, according to Rufco shipbrokers, freight rates remains on the low end, $16-18 to Marmara from Azov and Rostov, and even lower in some cases. In spite of the almost full absence of ice, winter restrictions still in force, and there are no signs of their cancellation soon.
Freight rates to the Sea of Marmara from Rostov make $17-18 per ton.
Freight rates from Rostov to SE Black Sea ports are $15-16 per ton.
In the Caspian, the market is more alive, but freight level is slowly lowering.
The current freight rates from Astrakhan to Iran remain at $35-36 per ton (mostly corn and barley), and $20-22 from Aktau to Iran (generally barley).
Most of the shipments go under COA, but spot vessels are also available time to time.
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.