According to Pavel Lysenko, analyst with ASAP Agri and freight broker with Atria Brokers, after a brief breather last week, market activity has resumed, prompting a further increase in coaster freight rates as the shortage of tonnage persists and owners firmly stand their ground during negotiations. It is also worth noting that owners are increasingly avoiding calls at Turkish Marmara ports due to growing congestion there, which is another factor contributing to higher rates for this destination. As for the Handysize segment, rates remain largely flat across most routes, as owners struggle to dictate terms amid a limited choice of cargoes in the region. Nevertheless, rates to Tunisia have been adjusted up by 1-2 USD/MT w-o-w.

Thus, as per Atria Brokers’ freight department, Panamax freight for corn shipments from Ukrainian deep-water ports to South China remains at 46–47 USD/MT. 

In the Handysize segment, freight for a 30,000t corn shipment to East Coast Italy remain at 24–25 USD/MT. 

In the Coaster segment, freight for a 6,000t corn shipment from Ukrainian Danube ports to East Coast Italy is quoted at 36–38 USD/MT (up 1 USD/MT w-o-w).

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