Barge freight continues to grow amid closure of the Sulina Canal

In the fire segment, a significant gap between charterers’ and shipowners’ rates remains, while demand for barge tonnage is pushing prices up.

The Ukrainian freight market has changed little over the week. In the fire segment, a significant gap between charterers’ rates and shipowners’ prices remains, ASAP Agri reports.

However, deals concluded during the week were generally in line with previously achieved levels. As of September 25, fire freight from the Danube to Egypt is around $100–102/MT.

At the same time, high demand for barge tonnage continues to push rates up. An additional factor was the closure of the Sulina Canal. Navigation was suspended on September 26 due to bad weather, and is not expected to resume until October 2.

Currently, about 70 vessels are in the queue. At the same time, the situation with the water level is deteriorating – agents have already received verbal warnings about new permissible sediments: on the Sulina – 44th mile section it is 7 m, from the 44th mile to Reni, Giurgiulesti and Galati – 6.7 m, and on the Galati – Breila section – 6.4 m.

The day before, USM wrote that Ukraine is asking the EU to help export over 30 million tons of agricultural products.