Dear readers! We present to your attention the sixth issue of Logistics for 2024. On its pages, we summarize the results of the international exhibition of logistics, transport, warehouse equipment and Logistika Expo, which became the main premiere of this year. Our editorial staff took part in the event, as a result of which they made useful acquaintances and found new readers. In the latest issue, we continue the topic of automation and robotization in the industry.
Dear friends! We present to your attention the fifth issue of Logistics for 2024. Like you, our dear readers, we see an increasing trend of digitalization and automation of the logistics industry, and more and more authors are paying attention to it.
Dear readers! We present to your attention the fourth issue of Logistics for 2024. On its pages, we summarize the results of the TransRussia | SkladTech 2024 exhibition, held from March 19 to 21 at Crocus Expo. The organizers and guests of the event claim that the exhibition is breaking new attendance records from year to year and improving its business program.
Region: Russian River, Azov / Black Sea, Caspian
Trade: Coaster shipments
The leading role in the fleet disposition was played by the foul weather conditions in the Kerch Strait during the reporting week. The essential part of the fleet was idle waiting for passage about three days. This fact can now lead to delays in arrivals to ports of loading for the next voyages, as well as to congestion in the ports of discharge. Market insiders opine that this factor will not significantly influence the rates, because the amount of cargo orders remains in scarce supply, and the volume of spot tonnage has not been decreasing for several weeks. Some Charterers faced with vessels’ delays, and now they are urgently seek replacements in order to make shipment before the May holidays. Otherwise, they risk getting penalties due to non-compliance with the terms of shipments, because phytosanitary structures will be closed during the May holidays, and it will be problematic to issue the necessary documents.
Rates in the Azov Sea stopped to decline. The main driver of stabilization of the freight market was the approaching end of the month. Many Charterers, who made their deals with delivery on April dates, preferred not to take risks and close their positions on guaranteed dates, which did not leave them much room for trading. Generally the Azov market remains on the Charterers’ side, and part of the river-sea fleet, now equally considering the cargoes from Azov Sea ports and Black Sea ports, since the level of freight rates is comparable in both regions so far.
The navigation on the inland waterways in the Volga region opens completely on the 17th week. Such ports as Togliatti, Samara, Ulyanovsk become available for loading and discharge. The demand for tonnage from these regions is now keeping mainly in the direction of the Caspian region. Market insiders are expecting the rates for voyages from the river should catch a bid due to increased variability in ports of loading.
There has been observed an increase in the volume of grain purchased in the Russian Federation for subsequent export to Iran with shipments from the Astrakhan, Saratov and Volgograd regions. Such heightened interest in the Iranian market is explained by weather conditions. In mid-April the Iranian National Crisis Management Centre reported a forecasting drought in the summer season. It is unlikely that its own crop will be able to assure the domestic market of Iran, without mentioning Iranian flour mills, which were only half loaded with its own goods even in the harvest years. Therefore, we expect not only an increase in the number and volume of barley, corn and rapeseed shipments in the near future, but also the possible lifting of the wheat embargo.