Russia's coal freight rates jumped to the highest this year after President Putin ordered all foreign vessels to obtain prior approval from the country's Federal Security Service for clearance on July 21. Rates rose 20% on average compared with June for vessels exporting coal from western and southern ports, with shipments to ports in Turkey and India seeing the significant surges, Vedomosti reported, citing relevant data. Transportation of coal in the eastern direction from the port of Vostochny to China and S Korea also surged. The cost spike may cut southern and northwestern coal exports by up to 10% this year, Neft Research analysts warned.