Active grain trade in the Black Sea region has led to not only increase in freight rates in the basin, but also to changes of free tonnage placement, according to Platts agency.
International sources began to report an increased export grain cargo flow from the Black Sea region, including Ukraine and Russia in the second half of July. Most shipments were carried out to Far East and Southeast Asia. After the end of Ramadan the demand for grain from the countries of North Africa and Middle East also strengthened.
Due to high demand for tonnage in the Black Sea region for export shipments, many shipowners started considering a possibility of transferring tonnage in ballast to the Mediterranean, since in other regions demand and rates are much lower. (UkrAgroConsult/Business World Magazine)