On the 8th Week freight rates in the Azov–Black Sea region continued to rise, reaching USD 51–52 per ton for shipments of 3,000 tons of wheat from Azov to Marmara Sea ports. The number of sales and shipments remains limited; however, due to the shortage of available tonnage for February laycan dates, existing contracts are being concluded at elevated rate levels. Weak grain demand is likely to result in a rather sharp decline in freight rates in the region once favorable weather conditions are restored. The Russian wheat export duty has remained at zero for the sixth consecutive week since February 18. The same zero rate applies to corn and barley. In the Baltic region, charterers are facing difficulties securing vessels on the spot market, as most shipowners are currently engaged in fulfilling contractual commitments. The spot freight market remains steadily firm. At the same time, there is still an opportunity to fix a non-ice-class vessel at a reasonable rate for voyages on routes that do not require ice navigation. For freight rates please visit our website https://sealines.su/en/market-news/