An index that measures freight rates across three key operating classes could be headed for a gain of 20% or more over the next year, a top researcher told delegates at the Association of Ship Brokers & Agents (ASBA) annual cargo conference in Miami Beach.
The ASBA Shipping Index — averaging rates for panamax bulkers, aframax tankers and feeder containerships of 2,000 teu — could be headed to $15,000 a day from its current level of $12,200, said Arlie Sterling, president of Marsoft.
