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Freight Report Week 35

Region: Russian River, Azov / Black Sea, Caspian
Trade: Coaster shipments

The Azov region is experiencing a period of uncertainty. Due to the strengthened ruble and current freight rates level Traders have suspended sales and new contract conclusions. As reported by some Exporters, for normal cargo turnover to recover, either the rates must go approximately 5$ down, or the dollar must stabilize at a level higher than 59 rubles.

Since Ship Owners have been forcing Charterers to focus on voyages to the Turkish Black Sea coast, local warehouses at the Port of Samsun with the total storage capacity of 300 000 tonnes cannot receive any more goods, and the market participants has been faced with a problem of slow discharge at this particular port. In order to avoid further demurrages, cargo receivers are relocating their port of delivery to Marmara.

Some Traders are showing confidence that freight rates will decrease soon, expecting a substantial number of vessels to open simultaneously after the long idle time in Turkish ports.

Traders in the Azov region are trying to evade CIF sales, preferring to ship their goods on a FOB basis, with a view to reduce risks associated with searching for proper vessels.
The shortage of fleet remains critical in the most remote river ports on the Volga. Since the opening of navigation, voyages there have been relatively rare, which led to an accumulation of significant cargo volumes at river silos. Charterers keep increasing their ideas for freight rates, but this has little impact on the actual amount of shipments.

According to some Exporters, tariffs for railway delivery to sea ports have reached parity with the cost of analogical transportation by water, which reduces the possibility of further rates increase for voyages from river ports.

Region: Baltic / ARAG
Trade: Coaster shipments, Handy-size

Despite of Ship Owners’ expectations and forecasts, abundance of grain cargoes on the open market of the region is not being observed yet. Regardless, the amount of spot tonnage at the moment is far below the usual level. In fact, the available tonnage is formed by only several vessels openings in the area of ECUK and at the French Bay.

In the Gulf of Finland and Upper Baltic area the Traders specializing in timber goods have increased their activity, which is typical in the current time of year for this market. On the eve of the autumn-winter period, the amount of coal parcels offered for shipping is increasing. Besides, after some time of low activity, coaster parcels of scrap have become available. All above described tendencies in combination with each other are reflected in an average growth of freight rates in the region by 1-2 euro pmt.

The current situation on the freight market in the Baltic/Continent region can be characterized as rather profitable for Ship Owners. In comparison with the analogical period of the previous year, the current figure of prompt/spot tonnage is significantly smaller, and Owners are showing moderate optimism in this respect.