Baltic Dry Index (BDI)

An economic indicator that measures the average cost of shipping dry bulk raw materials such as coal, iron ore, and grain across major global sea routes. Published daily by the London-based Baltic Exchange, the BDI aggregates rates for four vessel classes: Capesize, Panamax, Supramax, and Handysize. Because shipping demand reflects real orders for physical commodities, the index is widely regarded as a leading indicator of future global economic activity and industrial production.