Freight
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Oil, gas and dry cargoes are being shipped all over the world every day. With seaborne transportation comes exposure to shipping costs. Be it via direct cost or through the prices of feedstocks or finished products, a freight factor is always there. Highly sensitive to market shifts, geopolitics and regulations, freight is a complex and volatile part of every trade.
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First non-Iranian VLCC exiting the strait of Hormuz
First non-Iranian VLCC exiting the strait of Hormuz
London, 2 April (Argus) — A very large crude carrier (VLCC) carrying non-Iranian crude appears to have left the Mideast Gulf, the first since the start of the US-Iran war on 28 February, with a second close behind. The Dhalkut , operated by Trafigura according to the vessel's Q88 documentation, largely cleared the strait and was heading eastward as of 2 April. The Habrut , operated by Sinokor according to Q88 data, was on a similar path during the same timeframe. These could be the first two non-Iranian VLCCs to exit the Mideast Gulf since the war began over a month ago, a potential sign of Iran relaxing restrictions on ship movements. Both tankers are signalling Ras Markaz in Oman as their destination, which is a common method being used by ships in the Mideast Gulf to identify the nationality of the vessel and reduce the likelihood of attack by Iranian forces — but it is unlikely to be the vessels' final destination. The Dhalkat loaded Arab Heavy and Arab Medium crude on 26 February from Juaymah while the Habrut loaded Murban crude on 17 March from Jebel Dhanna, Kpler data show, and both have remained inside the Mideast Gulf since. When the Dhalkat first loaded before the war broke out, it appeared to indicate Myanmar as a destination, vessel tracking data show, and it may proceed there after exiting the strait. At least 14 VLCCs have left the strait of Hormuz since the start of March, according to Kpler data, all loaded from Kharg Island or the FPSO Soroosh , both controlled by Iran. Recently, traffic through the strait has been steady, Another seven vessels crossed on Wednesday, the same as on Tuesday. Three vessels exited the Mideast Gulf, and four vessels entered, transiting westbound through the channel, according to vessel tracking data from MarineTraffic. More notably, two ultra-large container carriers linked to China's Cosco — the CSCL Indian Ocean and CSCL Arctic Ocean — which abandoned attempts to transit on 27 March, transited the strait earlier in the week. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said that day that its navy had turned back three container ships attempting to pass through the strait. By Rhys van Dinther Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
India set for first Iranian crude cargo since 2019
India set for first Iranian crude cargo since 2019
Dubai, 2 April (Argus) — An Iranian crude cargo is heading to India in what could be the country's first such delivery since 2019, according to ship-tracking data and shipbrokers. The Aframax Ping Shun is scheduled to arrive at India's Vadinar port on 4 April carrying about 600,000 bl of Iranian crude, data from Kpler and Vortexa show. Formerly known as Urgane I , the vessel was sanctioned by the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in 2025, according to Treasury records. Shipbrokers said it is on time charter to Iran's state-owned oil firm NIOC, and Vortexa data indicate it loaded at Kharg Island in early March. Kharg typically handles more than 90pc of Iranian crude exports. The cargo appears to be moving under a temporary US waiver covering Iranian crude loaded on or before 20 March and discharged by 19 April. The waiver has opened a narrow window for cargoes already on the water, but does not amount to a broader easing of US sanctions on Iranian crude. Market participants said trades involving sanctioned vessels still face heavy compliance scrutiny. If delivered, it would be the first known Iranian crude shipment to India since May 2019, when refiners halted imports after Washington withdrew sanctions waivers that had allowed limited purchases. India had previously supported the trade through alternative payment and marine insurance arrangements. The apparent return of Iranian supply to India is not limited to crude. At least two Iranian LPG cargoes also appear to be heading towards Indian ports in recent weeks. A third vessel, the Luma , has arrived at India's Jaigarh port carrying about 10,800t of LPG, according to market sources and tracking data. Sources told Argus the cargo was booked by a private buyer at the April contract price plus a premium of more than $100/t, although this could not be independently confirmed. Another Iranian VLGC , the Sea Bird, carrying around 44,300t of LPG, has faced delays in discharging at Mangalore port. The delay may relate to a bill-of-lading issue that complicated payment, according to market participants. Even with the temporary waiver in place, some banks remain wary of handling transactions involving sanctioned vessels carrying Iranian fuel, traders said. The Sea Bird passed through the strait of Hormuz around 18 March, initially appeared bound for China, and later diverted towards India. Vortexa satellite imagery showed the vessel moving towards Mumbai. The unusual trade flows come as the US-Israel war with Iran enters its second month with no clear resolution in sight, raising concerns over prolonged supply disruption. Threats to strike Kharg Island — the hub for most of Iran's crude exports — have sharpened risks to global supply. Trump said on 1 April that US forces would continue hitting Iran "very hard" for another 2-3 weeks. Any resumption of Iranian energy imports would be significant for India, which remains heavily dependent on imported crude and LPG even though its supply mix has shifted sharply since 2019. India continues to source large volumes from Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Russia, but the closure of the strait of Hormuz and attacks on energy infrastructure across the Mideast Gulf have disrupted those flows. By Rithika Krishna and Rituparna Ghosh Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Стоимость контейнерных перевозок через Каспий выросла
Стоимость контейнерных перевозок через Каспий выросла
Riga, 2 April (Argus) — Транспортировка контейнеров по Транскаспийскому международному транспортному маршруту (ТМТМ) в марте подорожала относительно февраля. Ставки растут с начала года на фоне опасения перебоев в контейнерных перевозках по альтернативным морским маршрутам из Китая в Европу в условиях дестабилизации обстановки на Ближнем Востоке, сообщили участники рынка. Напрямую конфликт в регионе и блокирование Ормузского пролива не повлияли на транзит грузов по ТМТМ, но эскалация привела к росту цен на энергоносители. Кроме того, выросли транспортные издержки и стоимость страхования, — отметил один из перевозчиков. Операторы контейнерных перевозок через ТМТМ в марте повысили тарифы на фоне конфликта на Ближнем Востоке. В результате стоимость перевозки 40-футового высокого контейнера (40HQ) из Сианя в Абшерон (Баку) в марте выросла до $6 000—6 500/40HQ с $5 700—6 200/40HQ — месяцем ранее, сообщили экспедиторы. Транспортировка контейнерных грузов небольшими операторами может обходиться на 15—20% дороже указанного диапазона, полагают экспедиторы. Некоторые перевозчики в марте оценивали расходы на доставку контейнеров из Сианя до Абшерона в $6 500—6 800/40HQ. Срок прохождения контейнерными поездами маршрута Сиань — Алтынколь — Актау — Алят — Абшерон в марте составил в среднем 14—18 суток, как и месяцем ранее, рассказали перевозчики. Стоимость перевозки из Сианя в турецкий Мерсин/Амбарлы транзитом через Абшерон/Алят в марте сохранилась на уровне $6 700—7 700/40HQ — как и в феврале. Затраты на страховые премии за военные риски при судоходстве в Черном море в марте сохранялись на уровне февраля, по данным участников рынка. В Азербайджане, Грузии и Казахстане в конце марта по-прежнему простаивало несколько тысяч порожних контейнеров, по информации экспедиторов. Компаниям не удается найти достаточно груза для обратной отправки контейнеров в Китай, сообщил представитель транспортной компании. Периодически из стран этого региона в Китай отправляют контейнеры с коксом, карбамидом и зерном, отметили отраслевые источники. Перевозки контейнерных грузов из Китая в Азербайджан составляют около двух третей всего трафика контейнеров по ТМТМ, по данным участников рынка. В 2025 г. по этому маршруту было перевезено 77 тыс. ДФЭ (двадцатифутовый эквивалент). ________________ Больше ценовой информации и аналитических обзоров рынка транспортировки грузов в странах Каспийского региона и Центральной Азии — в отчете Argus Транспорт Каспия . Вы можете присылать комментарии по адресу или запросить дополнительную информацию feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Группа Argus Media . Все права защищены.
At least seven ships transit Hormuz: Correction
At least seven ships transit Hormuz: Correction
corrects direction of transit in first 2 paragraphs London, 31 March (Argus) — At least seven vessels have crossed the strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours — three of them leaving the Mideast Gulf and four entering — according to MarineTraffic ship-tracking data. Another two ships approaching the Gulf turned around before entering the strait. The VLCC Desh Vibhor , the Panamax Andermatt and the general cargo vessel Benn all transited the strait out of the Gulf. The Handysize Vina , chemical tanker Dalia and MR tankers Ratta and Louiza sailed in. Two short-sea tankers, Sun Rise 1 and Marivex , were heading towards the Gulf but turned away before reaching Hormuz at around 01:00 GMT on Tuesday. Shortly afterwards, Marivex reversed course again and headed towards Iran's Bandar Abbas region. Vessel traffic through Hormuz had picked up over the weekend , but today's data show tanker movements remain extremely limited. The risks of operating in the region were underscored overnight when an Iranian drone hit a Kuwaiti VLCC anchored off Dubai. By Rhys van Dinther Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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