+380 67 625 91 65In the Black Sea, the small tonnage market remains sluggish amid limited cargo volumes. Shippers are carefully forming bids, while shipowners are faced with an excess fleet in the region, which does not allow them to consolidate the increase in rates. Grain shipments from Ukrainian and Romanian ports are not generating sufficient momentum, and demand for steel and fertilizers remains extremely weak. Even the completion of the second month of the new grain season did not lead to a noticeable revival of the market. Transactions are concluded mainly on the terms of previous periods, reflecting the caution of the participants. Shipowners are forced to make concessions to avoid downtime, although some of them continue to adhere to higher ideas. The forecast for the region remains subdued: no noticeable increase in activity is expected until large shipments of corn from the new crop appear.
In the Mediterranean, the coastal tonnage market is also showing no noticeable improvement. Shippers make regular requests for the transportation of grain, building materials and fertilizers, but their volume is insufficient to change the market dynamics. Shipowners hope to strengthen the rates, but buyers are not ready to accept their terms. Most transactions continue to be recorded at the same levels, which indicates that the balance remains in favor of the shippers. The situation is aggravated by the high availability of the fleet, which leaves no room for maneuver for ship owners. Even individual bonuses for difficult routes are not able to change the overall trend. In the near future, the market is likely to remain stagnant, with the possibility of recovery only if new cargo volumes increase.
In the Sea of Azov, the market began to show signs of cooling after a sharp increase in August. Reducing delays in the Kerch Strait and local ports has allowed shippers to put more pressure on rates. However, the limited number of available vessels, especially in the small tonnage segment, helps shipowners to hold their positions and prevent a sharp drop. Shippers are careful when making requests, focusing on short-term fixations. Grain exports continue to be the main driver of the market, but high logistical costs limit opportunities for expansion. The general mood is gradually shifting in favor of shippers, but the market remains sensitive to changes in logistics. The forecast indicates the continuation of moderate activity with a possible reduction in rates in the event of a further reduction in delays.