On the 46th week there is a strong increase in freight rates in the Azov-Black Sea region. Thus, contracts for the shipment of 3,000 tons of wheat from Azov to Marmara Sea ports are concluded at the level of USD 51 pmt.
Despite the strong increase in export taxes, the number of cargoes on the market exceeds the number of open vessels, as a result of which rates record a rapid increase.
Taking it into account, shipowners prefer not to send their fleet far away and work only short voyages, up to the ports of the Marmara Sea, which significantly increases the rates for long-distance destinations. Being so, it is quite difficult to find a vessel for cargoes to Greece, Israel and Italy which are abundant on the market.
The fleet is mainly fixed on spot dates, as shipowners expect further growth and prefer not to rush.
On the Caspian region freight rates remain the same, despite the increase in open positions in the region, both with the Russian and the Iranian flag. The number of offers for the transportation of non-grain cargo has increased. The demand for return cargo is still low.
Freight rates remain high in the Baltic region. Shipment of deadweight cargo from the port of Ust-Luga to ARAG this week is at EUR 57 per ton. Most of the vessels are open in the ports of the lower Baltic. There are significantly fewer candidates in the ports of St. Petersburg and Ust-Luga.
It is also worth noting that in the port of St. Petersburg there are long queues to the berth from vessels operating on contracts.