GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 25, 2026
Leading Freight Rate Benchmark Indexes
Unlike individual spot quotations, leading freight rate benchmark indexes aggregate reported or concluded rates across defined trade lanes, providing a systematic basis for market comparison.
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Source: https://www.drewry.co.uk/maritime-research-products/world-container-index
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Definition & Explanation
Unlike individual spot quotations, leading freight rate benchmark indexes aggregate reported or concluded rates across defined trade lanes, providing a systematic basis for market comparison. The best-known examples are the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) for container shipping, the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) for dry bulk cargo, and the Harpex for container vessel charter rates. Freight forwarders, shippers, and carriers reference them in rate negotiations, for assessing long-term contracts, and as early signals of capacity shifts in the market. Because methodology and data sourcing vary between indexes, users should understand the underlying construction rules before drawing direct cross-index comparisons.
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