Baltic Exchange Archives

Loading grain on a vessel at a Burrard Inlet terminal. (Maxvis/iStock/Getty Images)

Bulk ocean freight at highest level of past year

Container freight rates seen softening

MarketsFarm — Ocean freight rates have shown some strength over the past two months, with the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) at its highest level of the past year. The BDI, a major indicator of bulk shipping rates, settled at 2,058 points on Tuesday, marking the first close above 2,000 points since July 2022. The BDI […] Read more

A freighter is loaded with grain from a terminal at Vancouver’s Burrard Inlet. (Maxvis/iStock/Getty Images)

Crops, Markets

Ocean freight rates under pressure

Container rates also lower

By Phil Franz-Warkentin, GFM Network News November 23, 2022

MarketsFarm — Ocean freight rates have come under pressure over the past month, nearing their lowest levels of 2022 as mounting COVID-19 cases in China, along with increased restrictions in the country, have contributed to concerns over declining demand. The Baltic Dry Index (BDI), a major indicator of bulk shipping rates, settled at 1,149 points […] Read more

Crops, Machinery

Baltic Dry Index hits two-year highs

By GFM Network News March 28, 2017

CNS Canada — Ocean freight rates are trending higher, with the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) hitting its highest level of the past two years on Tuesday. The BDI, compiled daily by the London-based Baltic Exchange, provides an assessment of the price of moving major raw materials by sea, including grain. It was quoted Tuesday at […] Read more

Crops, Machinery, Markets

Ocean freight rate index climbs

By GFM Network News March 29, 2016

CNS Canada — Ocean freight rates have shown some steady strength over the past two months, with the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) back above 400 points. The BDI set a record low of 290 points on Feb. 10-11, but has since posted steady gains, settling at 409 on Tuesday. While that’s still a far cry […] Read more

Crops, Machinery, Markets, Reuters

Smaller vessels bump up ocean freight index

By Reuters, GFM Network News February 19, 2016

Reuters — The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, marginally rose on Friday on improved rates for smaller vessels. The overall Baltic Dry Index (BDI), which gauges the cost of shipping resources including iron ore, cement, grain, coal and fertilizer, rose for the sixth consecutive session by […] Read more

(Commercial Port of Vladivostok, vmtp.ru)

Crops, Machinery, Markets

Baltic index slips to fresh low, demand concerns persist

By Reuters, GFM Network News February 2, 2016

Reuters — The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships carrying industrial commodities, slipped to another all-time low Tuesday on worries about vessel oversupply and slowing global demand. The overall index, which gauges the cost of shipping dry bulk including iron ore, cement, grain, coal and fertilizer, fell four points or […] Read more

Crops, Machinery, Reuters

Vessel demand concerns extend Baltic index fall

By Reuters, GFM Network News January 22, 2016

Reuters — The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships carrying industrial commodities, extended its record low run to a 14th straight session on Friday on persistent vessel glut and weak demand. The overall Baltic Dry Index, which gauges the cost of shipping dry bulk including iron ore, cement, grain, coal […] Read more

Crops, Markets, Reuters

China and vessel glut drive Baltic index to fresh low

By Reuters, GFM Network News January 12, 2016

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 ore, cement, coal and fertilizers, […] Read more

Crops, Markets

Bulk shipping cost index sinks to 30-year lows

By GFM Network News February 10, 2015

CNS Canada –– The Baltic Dry Index, which tracks global bulk shipping rates, has fallen to its lowest levels in 30 years, which should make North American grains and oilseeds more competitive in the international market. The index (BDI) was quoted Monday at 554 points, the lowest reading since records start in 1985. The index […] Read more

Alberta crop conditions improve: report

U.S. grains: Corn sets contract lows on expectations for big US crop

U.S. livestock: Cattle strength continues

GFM Network News