Freight from Ukraine remains stable amid cargo shortage, — ASAP Agri
15.04.2026 - 13:25
Freight rates in the Black Sea are held at current levels, but limited cargo volumes and differences in expectations between parties are holding back deals.
The freight market in the Black Sea region remains subdued, with new deals limited, according to ASAP Agri analysts.
The main factors behind the weak activity remain bunker price fluctuations and a significant gap between shipowners’ and charterers’ expectations.
In the handysize segment, shipowners continue to declare higher rates, but actual deals are being concluded at lower levels. This is due to both lower fuel costs and a limited number of new cargoes, which strengthens charterers’ negotiating positions.
A similar situation is observed in the bulk carrier segment. The market remains sluggish due to a lack of confirmed cargoes from Ukraine, which makes it difficult to reach a compromise between the parties.
Thus, the rates for transporting 30 thousand tons of corn from deep-water ports of Ukraine to the eastern coast of Italy are $29-30/ton, which is $1/ton lower than a week earlier.
In the Danube segment, the freight for batches of 6 thousand tons of corn to the same direction remains stable – at $46-48/ton.
The day before, USM wrote that wheat prices in Ukraine are falling against the backdrop of weak exports through ports.
