On week 5, the Azov and Black Sea region records the same level of freight rates as last week for most destinations. According to Sea Lines shipbrokers, contracts for 3K wheat parcels from Azov to Marmara Sea ports are still concluded on the average at the level of $39 pmt.
Despite the fact that there is a lull in the grain market in general this week and it is extremely difficult for charterers to conclude sale contracts, the level of freight rates is maintained due to the withdrawal of some vessels to the Black Sea, where trade is somewhat more active.
This year, on the eve of the introduction of quotas, there was no strong demand for spot tonnage, as was the case a year ago. The biggest demand for grain products is observed in the Italian and Greek markets, there are also requests for Cyprus and Lebanon. The Turkish market continues to record an extremely low level of demand for grain crops.
According to Sea Lines, on week 5, freight rates for wheat parcels from Azov make $37 to the Black Sea, $39 to Marmara, $60 to Mersin and $65 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, the cost of freight is gradually increasing due to the high demand for tonnage. A number of charterers are trying to ship their corn and barley cargoes to Iranian ports before the export quota is coming into force. However, some market players prefer to wait for the results of the quota allocation and not to take risks searching for spot vessels.
The water level is still quite low, which prevents from using the full load capacity of vessels, which also greatly affects the rate levels.
Makhachkala is currently the main shipping port for grain cargoes, according to Sea Lines. Freight cost from this port to Amirabad is $30 pmt.
On week 5, freight rates for shipping corn by 3,000 dwt bulkers to Iran make $25 from Aktau, $30 from Makhachkala, and $37 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.