After the growth of the Baltic Dry Index last week, it has now started to decline again by several points, which could lead to a slight reduction in freight rates in the near future.
According to Sea Lines ship brokers, in the Baltic Sea ship owners mostly prefer grain cargo. Grain shipments from the Baltic/Continent to Spain, Morocco and Portugal are active, both in the short and deep sea markets. And despite the worsening weather, most shipowners prefer to carry grain rather than other “dirty” cargoes, such as coal, since they are paid better.
On week 49, freight rates for 30,000-35,000 dwt bulkers from Ust-Luga increased for most destinations, the only exception being West Med.
Thus, rates on the Ust-Luga – Continent – Ust-Luga rates were $16.25 pmt, rates from Ust-Luga to ARAG made $17.5 pmt.
Rates from Ust-Luga were $27 pmt to West Med rates, and $31 pmt to East Med.
Rates for 30,000-35,000 dwt bulkers from Ust-Luga to the Black Sea amounted to $33 pmt, rates to the Persian Gulf were $39 pmt.
In the small tonnage bulker segment in the Baltic, there is a shortage of spot tonnage on the small short sea market, as most of the fleet is under contract until the end of 2020. Many ship owners already show positions in the first days of January. This situation makes it very difficult to find spot positions for charterers, Sea Lines report.
On week 49, freight rates for smaller bulkers from Ust-Luga also grew.
Thus, rates from Ust-Luga to Klaipeda were €17 pmt, and those to Riga and Stockholm were €14.5 pmt.
Freight rates from Ust-Luga to Hamburg made €25.5 pmt, and to Bremerhaven €26 pmt.
Rates from Ust-Luga to ARAG were €29 pmt, and those to Dublin €39 pmt.
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.