BDI

The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) is the Baltic Exchange’s headline dry-bulk freight benchmark, a daily composite of three timecharter sub-indices. Since 1 March 2018 it weights 40 percent Capesize (BCI), 30 percent Panamax (BPI), and 30 percent Supramax (BSI), with the Handysize average (BHSI) dropped from the basket; a multiplier of 0.1 is applied to the combined timecharter averages. The route assessments come from a panel of approved independent shipbroking panelists reporting each business day. The BDI is not directly tradable, but its component indices underlie the dry-bulk FFA market. It is widely read as a leading indicator of raw-material trade demand.