Freight rates for coal leap at most Russian ports

Freight costs for coal delivery from Russian southern and northwestern ports rose in July compared with June amid early start of grain exports from Russia's Azov and Black Sea ports and a sudden shortage of available vessels in Baltic and Barents Sea ports.

Freight rates for small bulk carriers on routes from southern ports rose by up to $8/t month on month, while rates for prompt Panamax coal deliveries from Russia's northwestern ports increased by $1-2/t on the month in July.

But freight costs for delivery from Russia's far eastern ports fell slightly on the month amid sufficient vessels availability in Asia-Pacific.