Category: Freight

Drone attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure have surged more than tenfold in 2024, now occurring roughly every other day. Despite escalating threats, the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority is reinforcing security while keeping ports operational and modernizing infrastructure. Black Sea freight remains viable but with elevated risk premiums, higher insurance costs, and potential cargo diversion to…

Transit-led growth: Kazakhstan–Russia rail freight hit 92.1 million tons in 2025, up 3.5% year-on-year, driven primarily by rising transit operations. Russian exports via Kazakhstan: Russian grain, oil products, and metals moving through Kazakhstan climbed around 20% in early 2026 to over 12 million tons. Kazakh exports via Russia: Kazakh coal, metals, and fertilizers transiting Russia…

Bearish prices: Ukrainian granulated wheat bran export prices continued to fall this week amid ongoing market weakness. Weak demand: Subdued import buying interest from traditional customers is limiting sales and pressuring prices lower. Seasonal pressure: Typical seasonal dynamics for this period are amplifying the soft demand environment. Futures impact: Declining wheat futures on global exchanges…

EC pressure on Hungary: Brussels formally urges Hungary to lift its unilateral ban on Ukrainian agricultural imports, calling it unjustified and harmful to the single market. Safeguard tools in place: The updated EU-Ukraine DCFTA includes safeguard clauses that the EC says are sufficient to address any market disruption from increased Ukrainian imports. Market tone: Neutral…

Duty Slashed: Russia’s sunflower oil export duty falls 71% in June to 1,337.5 rubles/tonne from 4,650 rubles/tonne in May. Meal Exports Unrestricted: Sunflower meal export duty stays at zero for a second month, supporting continued outbound flows. Stable Oil Prices: Indicative sunflower oil price holds around $1,292/tonne, signaling policy-driven, not demand-driven, duty cuts. Bullish Freight…

Bullish freight demand: Russian grain exports rose 90% YoY in early May to 2.4 million tons, driving higher vessel utilization from Black Sea ports. Expanded trade routes: Wheat destinations grew from 16 to 20 countries, with Kenya and Tanzania emerging as new major buyers alongside Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Broader crop mix: Strong growth in barley,…

Policy Dispute: Hungary’s unilateral restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural imports clash with EU-Ukraine Association Agreement principles and have triggered criticism from Ukrainian agribusiness. Transit Intact: Key freight transit routes through Hungary remain open, preserving an important logistics corridor for Ukrainian exports to Western Europe. Compromise Option: Ukraine is proposing licensing mechanisms to balance import volume concerns…

Dry Port No. 5 is now operational on the Hairatan–Mazar-i-Sharif railway line, handling its first train and expanding regional freight capacity. A planned 1,650-meter railway extension at Naybobad station is set to boost freight car throughput and reduce idle time. Enhanced rail infrastructure may gradually shift some Central Asian grain and oilseed flows away from…

Bullish: Rail freight between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan surged 36% y/y to 13 million tonnes in the first four months of 2026, reinforcing the Trans-Caspian corridor’s role in grain and oilseed exports. Bullish: Completed dredging at Kuryk and ongoing upgrades at Aktau port are set to expand Caspian export capacity and offer competitive alternatives to congested Black…

Regulatory shift: Hungary has reinstated a wide-ranging ban on Ukrainian agricultural imports, adding fresh constraints to regional trade flows. Logistics pressure: The ban complicates Central European land transit routes for Ukrainian grain and oilseeds, likely raising logistics costs and transit times. Freight sentiment: Market impact is assessed as neutral to slightly bearish for Ukrainian freight,…