On the 6th Week the Azov–Black Sea region is experiencing a gradual decline in freight rates following several weeks of strong growth. Freight contracts for the shipment of 3,000 tonnes of wheat from Azov to Marmara Sea ports are now being concluded at around USD 47 per tonne. The upcoming implementation of export quotas is significantly reducing the number of contracts for mid-February. In addition, demand for Russian grain from Mediterranean countries has weakened. At the same time, ice conditions in the Kerch Strait remain difficult, and no significant increase in open fleet positions has been observed so far, which, in turn, is preventing a sharp decline in freight rates. It should be noted that export duties on Russian grain will again be set at zero for the period from 4 to 11 February. In the Baltic region, freight rates remain unchanged this week. Ice conditions are already forming in the Bay of Riga and South Baltic, and from 16 February ice restrictions will come into effect in Ust-Luga, allowing owners of ice-class vessels to revise freight rates upwards. For freight rates please visit our website https://sealines.su/en/market-news/