On week 34, freight rates in the Azov-Black Sea region continue to grow rapidly. Thus, the rate for a 3K wheat parcel from Azov to Marmara sea ports is USD48 pmt. Such an increase was recorded at the end of last week, when there was a very large amount of cargoes on the market, and shipowners were in no hurry to work vessels for September dates, thereby heating up the freight market, Sea Lines shipbrokers report.
Shipowners’ offers for the Marmara Sea reached USD50-51, but at the beginning of this week it became clear that such a rapid increase in rates would inevitably slow down due to the impossibility to conclude sale contracts with such a high logistics component. Moreover, according to Sea Lines, most charterers note a sharp drop in activity amid expectations of a sharp increase in export fees for wheat and barley next week.
With the extremely high rates, ship owners prefer short voyages, often refusing even cargoes to the Sea of Marmara and preferring ports of discharge in the Turkish Black Sea. For this reason, it is difficult to find vessels to such destinations as Italy, Greece, Izmir or Mersin. The rates for these directions are growing even faster than those for Marmara.
Regarding shipments from the Russian river, there is still an almost complete absence of cargo, due to the reluctance of cargo owners to sell their goods.
On week 34, freight rates for 3,000-5,000 dwt bulkers from the port of Azov went up.
According to Sea Lines, freight rates for wheat parcels from Azov made $46 to the Black Sea, $48 to Marmara, $62 to Mersin and $67 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 also increased.
On week 34, freight rates for shipping corn by 3,000 dwt bulkers to Iran made $32 from Aktau, $35 from Makhachkala, and $38 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.