On the 48th week freight rates in the Azov-Black Sea region remain at $66 per ton for a shipment of 3,000 tons of wheat from Azov to Marmara Sea ports. The main factor affecting the market this week has been the weather conditions in the region, which was hit by a hurricane and the strongest storm in many years. Thus, many previously fixed vessels are arriving late for loading, and most shipowners are unable to give accurate prospects for the next openings. At the same time, taking into account the problems with finding a vessel due to weather, charterers have suspended active sales, as a result of which there is no sharp increase in rates due to fleet shortage.
It should be noted that tax rates for grain exports have significantly decreased since November 29th. Thus, the fee on wheat export fell to 3 820.2 rubles against 4 395.4 rubles per ton a week earlier, while the tax on barley remains zero for the sixth week in a row. The tax on corn exports fell to 642 rubles per ton.