In the Black Sea river-sea coaster market, freight rates came under pressure this week as the ruble strengthened and fuel prices eased slightly. Freight rates for 3,000 tons of wheat on the Azov–Marmara route declined from $49–50/ton to $47–48/ton. On the Rostov–Marmara route, a similar drop was seen, with levels easing from $51–52/ton to $49–50/ton. On the Rostov–Mersin route, freight rates softened from $72–73/ton to $70–71/ton.

In the Black Sea conventional coaster market, reported freight levels remained stable this week as well. For 5,000-ton steel shipments on the Novorossiysk–Marmara route, freight stayed at $21–22/ton, while 5,000-ton wheat cargoes held steady around $23–24/ton.

Freight rates for 5,000-ton grain cargoes transported from Ukrainian rivers to Marmara were largely stable. Cargoes of 6,000 tons of wheat shipped from Kilia to Thessaloniki were again fixed at $36–37/ton.

In the larger vessel segment, the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) continued its upward trend this week, rising from 2,066 points to 2,161 points. Capesize, Panamax, and Supramax segments all moved upward.

The Baltic Supramax Index (BSI) increased from 1,224 points to 1,293 points, while daily time charter equivalent earnings rose from $15,476/day to $16,344/day.

Looking at Supramax routes, Black Sea–Far East earnings declined for the third consecutive week, falling from $18,660/day to $18,163/day. In contrast, Gulf–Far East routes saw a strong increase, with daily earnings rising from $19,100/day to $21,836/day. Far East averages also climbed sharply from $14,971/day to $16,000/day.

The Baltic Handysize Index (BHSI) continued its downward trend, albeit marginally, slipping from 695 points to 694 points. Daily earnings also edged down from $12,508/day to $12,494/day.

In the Black Sea, Mediterranean, and Continent regions, Handysize freight rates continued to decline, albeit at a slower pace. On Black Sea–Mediterranean and Black Sea–Continent routes, daily earnings eased from $10,000–10,500/day to around $10,000/day. Black Sea–Far East voyages remained steady at approximately $14,000/day.

On the South America–Continent route, earnings increased again this week, rising from $18,550/day to $19,017/day. Far East averages also strengthened, moving up from $12,563/day to $12,852/day.

Let’s wrap up with sales.

No Ultramax sales were reported this week.

In the Supramax segment, the 2014-built Japanese 55K DWT “Aquavita Bay” was sold for $20 million, while the 2008-built Japanese 53K DWT “Mercury Ocean” changed hands at $13 million.

In Handysize sales, the 2016-built Japanese (Naikai) 38K DWT open hatch box-shaped “Berge Hallasan” was sold for $21.3 million. Similarly, the 2016-built Japanese 35K DWT “Nanaimo Bay” (Highbulk 34 design) changed hands at $19.1 million. The 2008-built Japanese 32K DWT “Taokas Wisdom” was sold for $10 million.

Among Chinese-built vessels, the 2010-built 32K DWT “Cosco Kunlunshan” and “Jin Wang Jing” were each sold for $8.2 million.

Although it was reported that Turkish sellers managed to sell the 2009-built Japanese 28K DWT “Safi Fortune” for $9.75 million, the deal had not yet been confirmed. We will revisit this in next week’s report.

We wish you a great week.