The freight market in the Black Sea and Danube remains challenging and tense, as new attacks on merchant vessels and frequent suspensions of navigation through the Sulina Canal are complicating the planning of new voyages.
This was reported by the Ukrainian Grain Association, citing information from ASAP Agri.
According to industry experts, activity in concluding new deals remains low, making it difficult to determine current freight rate levels. At the same time, shipowners willing to operate voyages to Ukrainian Danube ports are firmly maintaining their terms, keeping upward pressure on freight rates.
In the barge segment, draught restrictions remain in place despite the resumption of navigation near kilometre 280 of the Danube. This continues to limit barge loading capacity and contributes to a shortage of available tonnage, allowing shipowners to dictate terms when negotiating new contracts.
According to estimates by Atria Brokers' freight department, the cost of transporting 6,000 tonnes of maize from Ukrainian Danube ports to Egypt stands at approximately $100 per tonne, unchanged over the past week.
