+380 67 625 91 65In the Black Sea, the situation on the freight market remains subdued due to extremely low activity on the part of shippers. Despite the reduction in the number of available vessels, especially from Ukrainian shipowners, there has been no significant improvement in market conditions. Grain shipments remain fragmented, and shipments themselves appear irregularly and often do not meet basic volume expectations. As a result, charterers continue to push through the rates, taking advantage of the weak position of shipowners. Even against the background of individual steel and fertilizer deals, the pressure on the freight market remains. In general, the rate level is kept at a minimum, and fixing is sporadic. The forecast for the coming weeks remains neutral — no recovery is expected before the start of the new grain season.
In the Mediterranean, the freight market is also experiencing a shortage of cargo, especially in the segment of vessels with a carrying capacity of 3-6 thousand tons. Offers for larger volumes appear a little more often, but competition between ship owners remains high. The current oversupply of tonnage forces shipowners to make concessions, especially in short shoulders and on routes without counter-loading. This applies to both mineral cargoes and fertilizer shipments, for which there are separate conclusions, but without a trend towards a steady increase in rates. Individual routes provide a moderate workload for the fleet, but they do not cover the overall losses of shipping companies. In such conditions, owners often focus on fixing with a single shoulder, without counting on the return load. The forecast remains pessimistic: without an increase in the number of shipments, the market will remain under pressure.
The situation in the Sea of Azov remains one of the most difficult among all coastal regions. Demand for grain and coal in key destinations such as Turkey continues to be extremely low. The market is showing signs of stagnation, and a significant number of vessels are actually idle, as profitability does not allow them to cover even operating costs. Shipowners either temporarily withdraw vessels from the line, or agree to minimum rates for the sake of loading. Even long-haul flights do not always ensure profitability, which exacerbates the overall downturn. Against the background of such fierce competition and the lack of real alternatives for cargo, the market is experiencing significant difficulties. No positive developments are expected in the near future, and only with the arrival of a new harvest can we hope for a local revival.