According to the USPA, since August 8, 2023 (when the Ukrainian Navy’s temporary corridor for merchant vessels became operational), 100 million tons of cargo have been exported from the ports of Pivdennyi, Odesa, and Chornomorsk. Currently, Ukrainian products are shipped to at least 53 countries.
Not even a shred of positive changes can be seen on the small-tonnage shipping market in early February. Demand for Ukrainian, Russian and European grain is gradually increasing in the Mediterranean countries, but contracts are still signed with great difficulties.
Dynamics of average mazut prices, $/tonne
After a long break, Medkon Lines has resumed regular container shipping on the Istanbul – Gebze – Odesa route. The first container ship arrived at the port of Odesa a few days ago.
Agroprosperis Group continues to expand its grain exports. The EU countries remain the key sales markets, but this season the company has been exporting agricultural products to Turkey, North Africa, the Middle East and the Far East.
Despite timid signs of improvement on the grain export market, the small-tonnage freight segment remains extremely soft in the Black and Mediterranean Seas , with a minimum of firm grain offers.
Dynamics of average mazut prices, $/tonne
In 2024, 1,369 vessels entered the Sulina Canal (-16% compared to 2023), and 1,652 vessels entered the canal in the opposite direction (-35%, respectively), the data from to Kateryna Kononenko, manager of Avalon shipping, shows. The total fleet size decreased by almost 30% compared to 2023.
The small-tonnage shipping market remains stagnant. Some traders report increased demand for Ukrainian corn from EU importers, although the Black Sea freight market is not seeing any particular increase in cargo traffic.
Last year, the Port of Gdansk handled 3,559 merchant ships and handled 77.4 million t of cargo.