In the Azov market, some shippers are not yet ready to face the fact that the market is rising and are still proposing $18 per metric ton from Rostov/Azov towards Marmara ports. However, the majority of real fixture figures are forming a spread from $19 up to $21 pmt, according to Rufco shipbrokers.
Despite the quite bad coal market, several coal shipments ex Azov Sea ports were spotted, which potentially could also assist market revival.
Freight rates to the Sea of Marmara from Rostov make $19-21 per ton.
Freight rates from Rostov to SE Black Sea ports are $17-19 per ton.
It is Navruz holidays period, but the Caspian market is holding its position without any significant dive. A number of owners are already fixing cargoes from mid-Volga ports and that is why the number of units ready to trade solely in the Caspian is decreasing. This keeps the rates ex Astrakhan intact. Rates ex Volgograd to North Iranian ports are mainly quoted at the level of $38-40 pmt.
Just a week remains before navigation opening and the season is promising to be quite active for transit cargoes. Increased volumes of back cargoes like urea from Turkmenistan can make this segment quite active and attractive for owners and keep a number of vessels out of grain trade.
The current freight rates from Astrakhan to Iran make $32 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.