On week 40, the commodity market situation clearly demonstrated volatility in demand. Many domestic traders were unable to timely respond to this as wheat parcels were purchased at a high price accumulated in the Azov ports, but amid the reduced demand from Turkish processing enterprises, these volumes cannot be sold for the price desired. The reasons for this are the shippers’ specific view on pricing, as well as logistics-related problems, according to Glogos Project.
Thus, the shortage of Russian-flagged fleet still does not allow for a sufficient number of cabotage voyages to the Kavkaz roads for transshipment. The recent reinforcement of weight control complicates road delivery and increases the already high demand for cabotage fleet. The usual for this time of the year weather also hinders the fulfilment of exporters’ programs. Offshore winds have caused a drop in the water level in the Sea pf Azov, which, in turns, led to a decrease in the permissible draft in the river. Thus, in the Azov and Rostov ports, the current conditions resulted in vessels staying idle waiting for a suitable water level, which doesn’t allow them to load cargo up to full capacity.
Low water level also prevents vessel passage through the Kochetovsky lock, where a congestion has already formed. As a result of the adverse weather conditions, the planned volumes of wheat may not be exported in proper time from remote river elevators; which will lead to a shortage of cargo in the Azov ports. This is especially true in regards of shipments from the upper Volga, where harvesting of crops such as sunflower seeds is still ongoing.
According to Glogos Project, on week 40, freight rates for 3,000-5,000 dwt vessels for wheat parcels to the Sea of Marmara made $20 pmt from Rostov and Azov, $19 pmt from Yeisk and Taganrog, and $18 from Temryuk.
Freight rates for coal to the Sea of Marmara made $19 pmt from Rostov and Azov, $18 pmt from Yeisk and Taganrog, and $17 from Temryuk.
Freight rates in the Caspian grew did not change.
With the exception of a moderate growth of rates on long-distance legs (from Chistopol and Kazan to Iran), the state of the freight market in the Caspian Sea has been at the same level for several weeks. Such stability is not typical for this region, where fluctuations of $3-5 per ton per week are usually the norm. The only event that may set the market in motion in the near future is the upcoming end of corn harvesting in the areas adjacent to the Volga River basin as the formation of new crop parcels should have a positive impact on the rates growth.
Grain and freight market players are anxiously discussing the possible introduction of a second export quota in the history of the new Russia. There is no official information about the volume and timing at the moment, but there is reason to fear that the last season’s scenario, when 70% of the quota was fulfilled in just a day and a half, could be repeated.
Freight rates for 3,000 dwt vessels for barley to Iran made $22 pmt from Astrakhan, $18 from Aktau and $19 pmt from Makhachkala.
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.