Insights and Stories on Ocean Freight

Jan. 13, 2016 at 4:00 pm CST

CNS Canada — The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) continues its downward slide, dropping below 400 points for the first time ever as ocean freight rates struggle to find their bottom. The BDI was quoted at 394 points on Wednesday, marking a new low since records began in 1985. The index […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Jan. 12, 2016 at 7:45 pm CST

Reuters — The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships carrying industrial commodities, slid to a fifth consecutive record low on Monday on economic worries about China and a surplus of vessels. The overall index, gauging the cost of shipping dry bulk cargoes including grain, iron […]

By Reuters

Jan. 7, 2016 at 3:27 pm CST

CNS Canada — A downtrend in ocean freight rates shows no sign of letting up, as the Baltic Dry Index again hit fresh historic lows. The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) was quoted at 445 points on Thursday, marking a new low since records began in 1985. The index was trading […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Dec. 17, 2015 at 6:25 pm CST

CNS Canada –– The Baltic Dry Index, which gauges the price of moving grain and other goods by sea, is down to new historical lows, less than a month after setting the former floor. The BDI, compiled daily by the London-based Baltic Exchange, was quoted at 471 points on Wednesday […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Nov. 26, 2015 at 7:40 pm CST

CNS Canada –– Ocean freight rates are at some of their lowest levels ever and will likely stay that way for at least the next two years, according to an industry analyst. “We’re near hitting bottom, but just because we hit bottom it doesn’t mean we won’t scrape along it […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin