Freight rates are rising amid soaring fuel prices
9.03.2026 - 16:45
The hostilities in the Middle East have led to a sharp increase in bunker fuel prices, prompting shipowners across all segments to raise freight rates.
This was reported by ASAP Agri.
“The first week of spring has brought a new wave of uncertainty to the Black Sea freight market. In most cases, shipowners are currently quoting rates approximately 2-4 USD/MT higher, depending on the direction, in an attempt to compensate for the increase in fuel costs,” analysts note.
As a result, Ukrainian charterers are facing difficulties in finding tonnage, as the widening gap between the parties’ freight ideas slows down negotiations, leaving overall activity on fixings during the reporting week quite limited.
Atria Brokers’ freight department estimates the freight for the shipment of 30,000 tons of corn from Ukrainian deep-water ports to the east coast of Italy at 26 USD/t (+1 USD/t per week).
In the fireship segment, the freight for the shipment of 6,000 tons of corn from Ukrainian Danube ports to the east coast of Italy remains at 42 USD/t, which is approximately 3 USD/t higher than last week.
Earlier, USM reported that the shipowners of “fireships” have equalized rates for the Danube and deep-water ports.
