On the 41st week we record an increase in freight rates in the Azov-Black Sea region. Deals for the shipment of 3,000 tons of wheat from Azov to the Marmara Sea ports are concluded at the level of USD 42-43 pmt.
Despite the improvement of weather conditions in the Kerch Strait and the rise of the water level in the ADMK, there is a shortage of spot fleet on the market. A lot of vessels, which have passed the Kerch Strait after having waited for many days, are only going to the previously concluded voyages and the next opening dates are expected for the beginning of November.
It is worth noting that at the moment charterers are actively considering shipments not only to Turkey, but also to Italy. The main nomenclature of cargo this week is corn, but there are also shipments of wheat and bran.
Given the current situation with the fleet, many charterers, who plan to ship export tax free crops, are ready to consider vessels for November dates.
The export tax on wheat from Russia from October 13 to 19 will amount to $ 58.7 per ton, for the export of barley – $ 49.4, corn – $ 47.2 per ton. Thus, the increase is noted for all three crops.
In the Caspian region, freight rates rose slightly this week and reached USD 38 pmt for shipment of 3000 mts of corn from Astrakhan to NIP. The number of cargoes from Astrakhan has decreased, but the lack of free tonnage allows maintaining a high rates’ level.
In the Baltic region, freight has also increased. There is again a shortage of open tonnage for the next couple of weeks. For shipment cargo from the Baltic ports, many charterers take vessels opening in the ARAG region and pay a higher freight rate due to the vessel’s ballast passage.