Ocean Freight (BDI)
What it tracks: The daily cost of moving major raw materials by sea.

What it predicts: A leading indicator of global economic health. When the BDI rises, it signals strong global demand and upcoming pressure on global shipping capacity.

Air Freight Rates Proxy
What it tracks: The rolling weekly average spot rates for general air cargo on major global trade lanes.

What it predicts: An immediate pulse on supply chain urgency. Sharp spikes indicate disruptions in ocean freight or a surge in high-value manufacturing output.

Global Fuel Proxy: Brent Crude (Live 24h)
What it tracks: The real-time trading price of Brent Crude oil, dictating roughly 80% of globally traded oil pricing.

What it predicts: A spike in Brent Crude today reliably predicts higher base freight costs (via BAF and FSC surcharges) 30 to 60 days from now.

Market Sentiment Outlook (Rate Forecast)
What it tracks: A synthesis of leading indicators like global manufacturing orders, retail inventories, and the vessel orderbook.

What it predicts: Forecasts the overall trend of freight rates across short, medium, and long-term horizons by measuring cargo demand vs. capacity supply.

Time Horizon Key Market Drivers Forecasted Rate Trend
Short-Term (1-3 Months) Manufacturing PMI expanding; Brent Crude showing upward pressure. ↗️ Upward Pressure
Medium-Term (3-12 Months) High regional inventories dampening immediate restocking cycles. ↘️ Softening / Cooling
Long-Term (1-3 Years) High global vessel orderbook expected to increase market capacity. ↘️ Oversupply Risk

 

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