On week 5, freight rates in the Azov Sea region continued to rise. Shipowners’ offers for spot positions reached $42 pmt for of 3,000 mt of wheat from Azov to Marmara Sea ports. According to Sea Lines ship brokers, there are not a lot of spot positions in the market and the charterers are afraid to fix vessels with layсan close to February, 15. They are concerned about the possibility of not completing loading in time before the export quota comes into force.
For the second half of February, many charterers actively fix vessels after the 15th February at a rate $5-6 less than the current level. Although there are charterers who believe that after the February 15 there will be a larger drop in rates and prefer to wait and close their cargoes on the spot.
On week 5, freight rates for 3,000-5,000 dwt bulkers from the port of Azov increased significantly.
According to Sea Lines, freight rates from Azov made $40 to the Black Sea, $42 to Marmara, $53 to Mersin and $58 to Egypt.
Freight rates from Rostov AB (after bridge) are $1 above, from Rostov BB (before bridge) the same, from Yeisk and Taganrog $1 below, and from Temryuk $3 below those from the port of Azov.
In the Caspian, freight rates changed little.
On week 5, freight rates for shipping corn by 3,000 dwt bulkers to Iran made $20 from Aktau, $21 from Makhachkala, and $23 from Astrakhan.
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.