Baltic Exchange Market Information
First published: 2016
Brief summary
Freight indices useful for shipping and commodity cycles.
Article
The Baltic Exchange produces freight-market assessments and indices based on rates reported by participating shipbrokers. Its measures cover dry bulk, tanker, gas and container shipping routes and vessel classes.
The Baltic Dry Index combines selected dry-bulk freight assessments and is often used as an indicator of conditions in the market for transporting commodities such as iron ore, coal and grain. It is a freight-rate index, not a direct measure of commodity prices or world trade volume.
Shipping rates respond to cargo demand, vessel supply, fuel costs, port congestion, route disruptions and the geographic distribution of trade. Because ships take time to build, changes in fleet capacity can contribute to pronounced market expansions and contractions.
Index composition and calculation methods can change, and some detailed data require a subscription. Historical analysis should document the specific index, route definitions, vessel assumptions and any methodological breaks.
Source details and credits
- Source / publisher: Baltic Exchange
- Source type: Data / indices
- URL type: WWW
- Credits: Baltic Exchange
- URL: https://www.balticexchange.com/en/data-services/market-information0.html