– The Baltic Dry Index Has Only Been Lower Than This 8 Days In 30 Years (ZeroHedge, Feb 6, 2015):
At 559, The Baltic Dry Index (having now dropped 46 of the last 50 days and 12 days in a row) is just 5 points above its all-time record low from 1986. In fact, the global freight index has only been lower for 8 days during the July/August period of 1986 in its 30 year history…
We are sure this is nothing to worry about and merely “transitory.”
Whilst this is prima facie disastrous, one must keep in mind that these days the average dry cargo (container) ship carries the equivalent of four ships cargo of only twenty years ago.
Extrapolating that, the BDI could effectively drop by 75% in general terms yet still be transporting the same volume.
http://vimeo.com/34462285
If I understand correctly, the Baltic Dry Index is a reflection of the use of commodities which have dropped dramatically over the last year. Stanley could be correct in the size of the ships………..greedy ship builders have created floating cities for people who enjoy cruising………….probably the same in moving of commodities, like coal and other basic uses.
This, regardless of Forbes’ opinion isn’t a good sign.