Small-tonnage owners try to push up Black Sea freights further

摘要

The mood of small-tonnage owners remains positive in the Black Sea due to steady cargo traffic. Demand for fleet is supported byregular shipments of grains, coal, steel products and minerals. Spot tonnage list is modest, but it is still longer than in the neighboringMediterranean and Baltic Seas. Nevertheless, owners aggressively continue to insist on further rates upturns, which is quite typical forthe pre-Christmas period. Bunker price increase and worsening weather put additional pressure on charterers.