Corn freight from Danube ports to Egypt rises to $120/t

The cost of shipping 6,000 tonnes of corn from Ukrainian Danube ports to Egypt has reached around $120/t. According to Atria Brokers’ freight department, the rate rose by $10/t over the week.

For grain sellers, this is another reason to calculate logistics costs separately for each cargo: the actual freight cost depends on vessel availability and the conditions along the route.

What is keeping rates high

Queues at the Sulina Canal and war risks in the Black Sea persist. These factors limit the number of vessels willing to operate on the route, while the shortage of tonnage strengthens shipowners’ position.

Market participants do not always agree on price: shipowners’ expectations differ significantly from charterers’ offers. With few new deals being concluded, it is difficult to establish a single current rate level.

Rates depend on voyage conditions

The estimate of around $120/t is not a universal rate for all cargoes. The cost of a specific shipment is affected by factors including passage through the Sulina Canal and the vessel’s location.

Barge rates are also rising amid strong demand and a shortage of tonnage. The permitted vessel draft on the Danube is an additional constraint.

What to consider when making a deal

• Request a current rate for the specific volume, route and shipment date.
• Clarify which voyage and canal-passage conditions are included in the price.
• Compare freight offers while taking port and navigation restrictions into account, rather than looking only at the base rate.

What this means for the market: Higher freight costs can change the export deal calculations for both sellers and buyers. When listing a corn offer on AgroPost, clearly specify the delivery basis and port, and check the logistics component separately for each cargo.