Since the beginning of the current marketing year started July 1,2023 and up to February 29, 2024, a total of 34.1 million t of grain and legumes were exported from Ukraine (down 13% year-on-year). In particular, Ukraine exported 15.2 million t of corn (down 18% year-on-year)
The North European market is now the only area looking relatively optimistic for coaster owners. This week, shipments of timber cargoes have even perked up in the region, while requests for grain and steel transportation from EU ports regularly enter the market.
In February, Ascet Shipping began cooperation with the port operator SV in Chornomorsk and now provides a range of transportation, storage and cargo services in the port. Since then, it has loaded two vessels with a total volume of 14,000 t.
On February 29, after fulfilling all the necessary conditions, Węglokoks (Poland) and Sea-Invest Corporation (Luxembourg) completed the transfer of shares in the Port Północny transshipment and warehousing company (PPS Port Północny sp. z o.o.) and signed a contract.
Dynamics of average mazut prices, $/tonne
Activity has increased slightly on the Black Sea small-tonnage market due to the recovery of grain shipments from Ukraine.
Dynamics of average mazut prices, $/tonne
The cargo turnover increased by 122,000 t to 834,000 t in the Ventspils Freeport in January 2024 compared with December 2023.
Given the blockage of checkpoints on the western border due to strikes, Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company proposes to reorient cargoes that were transported to the EU by truck to river transport. For example, river transportation by the UDP fleet is an alternative for 2-5,000 trucks.