Dias Marine Consultants, our correspondents in Odessa, Ukraine have alerted us that, with effect from 17 October 2006 until 31 December 2006, grain export quotas have been established due to the rise of local grain prices. Accordingly, vessels due to load grain out of Ukraine have been lying idle for up to 4 four weeks, waiting for Ukrainian Customs to process cargo documents and allow shipment of cargo lots. As at the beginning of November no large Ukrainian grain trading company has obtained a grain export licence
Dias Marine also advise that shippers have taken a number of steps aimed at avoiding liability to owners/charterers for these delays, including making stringent demands as regards vessels' hold cleanliness, often resulting in refusal of the shippers’ surveyors and State Grain Inspection’s officials to accept the holds for loading.
If Members have already fixed or are intending to fix a vessel to load grain out of Ukranian ports, they may wish to contact the Managers.