+380 67 625 91 65In the Black Sea, the situation on the low-tonnage transportation market remains subdued, despite a moderate increase in activity on the part of shippers. Shipowners continue to express optimistic expectations, but the actual number of fixed cargoes remains low. The increase in the number of applications primarily concerns barley, while wheat and corn activity remains fragmented. The supply of free fleet in the region continues to exceed demand, which limits the potential for sustained rate growth. Shippers are taking advantage of the situation by continuing to put pressure on bids, especially when negotiating spot flights. Attempts by shipowners to fix higher freight levels are not adequately supported by the market. The forecast remains cautious: at the current loading level, there is no reason to expect a serious market turn towards ship owners yet.
In the Mediterranean direction, the situation remains sluggish, while the general mood of shipowners remains cautiously optimistic. The beginning of the holiday season in European countries and the limited flow of offers from shippers continue to affect weak market activity. Shipowners prefer not to leave the region, counting on the influx of grain cargoes from the Black Sea, which could potentially revive trade. Attempts to fix freight rates at slightly higher levels have not yet led to a real increase. Shippers react cautiously to proposals for higher rates, limiting themselves to short destinations and minimal volumes. Separate deals on fertilizers and steel are not able to significantly change the overall balance of supply and demand. The forecast for the coming week remains neutral, with the likelihood of a local revival with an increase in the transit flow of grain.
In the Sea of Azov, shipowners have been consistently pushing up rates for the third week in a row, especially in the grain segment. Shippers interested in late July flights are ready to book ships in advance, which creates pressure on the spot market. Despite the fact that activity on actual shipments is moderate so far, the mood of market participants is becoming more lively. In most areas, there is an attempt to consolidate new freight levels, and in terms of routes, deals are already being concluded on increased terms. Coal shippers are increasingly taking a wait-and-see attitude, ceding the initiative to the grain segment. At the same time, short-haul freight is only approaching the break-even point for shipowners, while long-haul routes show more confident calculation indicators. In the future, we can expect further pressure from ship owners, especially if the pace of grain supply continues or increases.