On the 25th week freight market is still too quite with low amount of shipments. In the Azov sea region the freight rates remain on the low level of previous weeks: USD 12-13 PMT for shipments from Azov to Marmara sea ports.
A lot of companies prefer to wait for harvest result before contracts’ conclusion. However, large companies are trying to fix vessels now for July-August dates. The difficulty is in finding desired freight rates, as owners, waiting for active new grain season, are naming the level of USD 21-23 PMT for Marmara ports destination, being sure that freight market would be at this level by then.
In the Caspian region a lot of charterers are also waiting for new grain season. Active shipments are seen from Turkmenbashi port only. Freight rates for 3k shipment from Astrakhan to north Iranian ports remain on the level of USD 20-21 PMT. There still a big congestion of vessels in Iranian ports and long awaiting of berthing, more than 3 days.
On the deep sea market most of the companies are also preparing for new season and only large companies are concluding new contract already now. There is no seen too much shipments on the market and freight rates from Novorossiysk to Med sea ports reach the level up to USD 10 PMT.
In the ports of Algeria charterers are giving low loading/discharging rates due to the government’s ban on money transfers for demurrage payment. Problems with payment can also arise with Euro transfers, since from this year banking control on payment of freight has been tightened.