The MPP segment remains under pressure: the market is searching for alternatives amid a shortage of heavy lifting equipment
(MPP Market Overview for October 2025)
Both 350-ton heavy cranes in the port of Bronka remain out of service. This severely limits the handling of heavy and oversized cargo, increases dependence on vessel cranes, and drives up operational costs. Logistics companies are forced to seek alternative routes and solutions to maintain supply chain stability.
.Key point: the lack of available MPP vessels equipped with high-capacity cranes increases waiting times and transportation costs.
One of the temporary solutions is the use of mobile heavy cranes or reloading cargo at ports with the required equipment. However, both options significantly increase costs and transit times. In some cases, the only viable way to fulfill commitments to clients is to use more expensive operational schemes.
Handysize remains stable, Coaster holds due to fleet delays
(Freight Market Overview — Week 48, 2025)
The Handysize segment (~30,000 DWT) in the Black Sea remains stable. Activity is low, but the market is supported by expectations of seasonal rate growth in early December. Meanwhile, the region’s grain market has fallen by 30%, reinforcing signs of an approaching recession.
Кey point: the final month of the grain season is helping keep rates from declining.
The Coaster segment (~5,000 DWT) also remains stable: grain traffic has decreased by 30%, but delays in the Kerch Strait have limited fleet availability and prevented rate declines.
Handysize Rates Hold Steady, Coaster Stabilizes After Fleet Delays
(Freight Market Overview — Week 47, 2025)
The Handysize segment (~30,000 DWT) in the Black Sea remains stable: there is no noticeable increase in activity, yet shipowners continue to anticipate a seasonal rise in rates toward late November.
Charterers stay cautious and are not willing to accept higher levels despite market expectations.
Key point of the week: the market reached a stable plateau, strengthening shipowners’ positions and allowing them to maintain firm rate ideas.
The Coaster segment (~5,000 DWT), on the contrary, experienced a short-term vessel shortage: calls to the Azov Sea were suspended for several days due to drone attacks near the Kerch Strait.
This temporarily restricted vessel availability in the region.
As a result, the decline in rates stopped, and the market held steady compared to the previous week, despite weak demand from Turkish grain importers.
Freight rates on key import and export routes remain high
(Freight Market Overview — Week 46, 2025)
Major deep-sea tonnage groups are still considered at relatively high levels. In the third week of October, daily rates for Handy, Supra, Ultra, and Panamax segments increased by nearly 40% compared to the end of summer 2023. Supramax from the Black Sea to FEAST is fixed at around $24,500/day.
Freight rates on key import and export routes remain high
(Freight Market Overview — Week 45, 2025)
The Handysize segment (~30,000 DWT) remained stable this week, with no visible increase in Black Sea cargo activity compared to the previous period.
Shipowners anticipate a seasonal upward shift in rates toward late November, yet charterers remain cautious and are not ready to commit to higher market levels.
Egypt continues to be the key destination for Russian wheat shipments.
The Coaster segment (~5,000 DWT), by contrast, is under pressure.
Reduced grain offers toward Turkey have pushed Azov → Marmara rates down to 47 USD/MT, with market participants expecting a further decline of up to 15% in the coming weeks.
Against this backdrop, shipowners are shifting their focus toward longer voyages — Egypt and Mediterranean Turkish ports.
The full report includes key routes and current freight levels from Novorossiysk, Azov, and Astrakhan.
Chinese shipowners strengthen their positions — Pevek delays affect shipments
(Freight Market Report — Week 44, 2025)
Chinese companies continue to expand their multipurpose fleet for project cargo shipments, strengthening their presence in China–Russia logistics. This trend reflects the rising demand for oversized and heavy equipment deliveries for energy and infrastructure projects across Russia.
The growing Chinese fleet increases competition in the market, slightly pushing freight rates downward while giving Russian charterers wider access to specialized tonnage.
At the same time, discharging queues at the port of Pevek — caused by poor weather and underdeveloped infrastructure — continue to delay vessel schedules and project cargo deliveries to Russia.
The report covers key routes, rate updates, and analysis for the China–Russia corridor.
Freight rates remain high at the start of the season
(Freight Market Overview — Week 43, 2025)
The Handysize (~30,000 DWT) segment remains stable, with Owners unable to push rates higher despite active fixing. Most fixtures are concluded at last week’s levels, while Charterers continue to seek further reductions.
The outlook indicates a possible slight softening of rates over the coming weeks amid growing vessel supply.
The Coaster (~5,000 DWT) segment shows steady performance for the second consecutive week. After a brief upward correction, rates have flattened, and Charterers continue to secure tonnage at steady levels. Demand for November remains cautious, while the increasing number of available vessels continues to pressure the market.
The report includes key routes and current freight rates for Novorossiysk, Azov, and Astrakhan.
Handysize rates rise, Coaster stabilizes after correction
(Freight Market Overview — Week 42, 2025)
The Handysize (~30,000 DWT) segment shows increased activity — growing export volumes continue to support the market despite overall tonnage pressure. Owners are keeping rates steady, while Charterers push for minor reductions.
The Coaster (~5,000 DWT) segment has stabilized after last week’s decline. Expected drop to 45–46 $/mt did not occur — the market held firm at 53–55 $/mt. Limited grain demand and ruble stability continue to restrain further rate growth.
The report includes key rates and routes across Novorossiysk, Azov, and Astrakhan.
Handysize activity remains firm, Coaster shows a correction
(Freight Market Report — Week 41, 2025)
The Handysize (~30,000 DWT) segment shows increased fixing activity amid moderate demand, while overall grain shipments in the Black Sea remain subdued.
The Coaster (~5,000 DWT) market is undergoing a slight correction — improved weather in the Azov region has increased vessel availability, while Turkish demand for Russian grain has softened.
Handysize rates remain steady, Coaster under pressure from delays
(Market report — Week 40, 2025)
The Handysize (~35,000 DWT) segment in the Black Sea remains stable at the end of the grain season, supported by a shortage of spot tonnage.
At the same time, Coaster (~5,000 DWT) rates continue to face upward pressure due to adverse weather and extended
This week’s report highlights key routes and forecasts ex-Novorossiysk and Astrakhan. inspections at the Kerch Strait.
Handysize rates remain stable, Coaster under pressure from delays
(Market overview — Week 39, 2025)
The Handysize segment (~35k DWT) remains steady — limited tonnage keeps rates at last week’s levels. At the same time, the Coaster segment (~5k DWT) is under pressure: weather conditions and inspections at the Kerch Strait cause delays and drive upward pressure on rates. The report highlights key routes and trends ex-Novorossiysk and Astrakhan.
China’s fleet expansion reshapes the shipping market
(Market overview – Week 38, 2025)
Supramax charter rates: Chinese shipowners continue to expand their fleet of multi-purpose vessels — through both newbuilds and second-hand acquisitions. This strategic move strengthens China’s position in global trade, ensuring supply stability. The report highlights freight rate dynamics and key trends on the Vladivostok–China, Taicang–Vladivostok, and Tianjin–Vladivostok routes, along with forecasts for their development.
Bulk Freight Market Report
11 September 2025
Handysize rates rose on Russian wheat flows (+3–4 USD/MT to Med & Marmara), with further growth likely.
Coaster market stays stable after Kerch Strait controls, supported by demand and FX volatility.
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