--- title: "Freight Market Volatility: Turning Data into a Competitive Advantage" description: Discover how shipping companies can use freight market analytics to manage risk, gain freight visibility, and make smarter chartering decisions. image: https://www.marlo.co/hubfs/Blog%20banner%20%283%29.png --- [Skip to the main content.](https://www.marlo.co/blog/freight-market-volatility-turning-data-into-a-competitive-advantage#main-content) [![MARLO](https://www.marlo.co/hubfs/marlo-co-logo.svg "MARLO")](https://www.marlo.co) [![marlo-co-logo](https://www.marlo.co/hubfs/marlo-co-logo.svg "marlo-co-logo")](https://www.marlo.co) - Solutions - Solutions - [Roles](https://www.marlo.co/solutions-by-role) - [CEOs, CFOs and COOs](https://www.marlo.co/solutions-by-role#CXO) - [Chartering managers](https://www.marlo.co/solutions-by-role#Charteringmanagers) - [Operations managers](https://www.marlo.co/solutions-by-role#Operationsmanagers) - [Accountants & Finance controllers](https://www.marlo.co/solutions-by-role#Accountants) - 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For shipping companies, this volatility is both a threat and an opportunity. Firms that treat analytics not as a reporting tool but as a **core strategic capability** can transform unpredictability into margin advantage.   ### **Executive Summary**   - Freight indices and day-rates remain choppy: bulk carriers show weaker performance, while tankers remain above long-term averages. - Volatility is driven by geopolitics, demand shocks, supply constraints, and regulatory pressures. - Analytics delivers three benefits: probabilistic forecasting, scenario-based chartering, and voyage-level optimization. - Success depends on structured data, actionable workflows, and a strong feedback loop.   ### **1. Where the Market Stands**   The **Baltic Dry Index (BDI)** has hovered around ~2,100 in September 2025, well below its 2024 highs but still volatile week-to-week. Tanker earnings, by contrast, remain materially above decade averages, though segment-specific dynamics differ. For chartering managers, such swings can make or break margins: securing or missing a relet decision by just a few days can translate into hundreds of thousands in P&L.   ### **2. Core Drivers of Volatility**   1. **Geopolitics** – Disruptions in the Red Sea and rerouting via the Cape have reshaped voyage economics. 2. **Demand shocks** – China’s import cycles and grain seasonality create sudden demand spikes. 3. **Fleet supply constraints** – Delivery slippages, slow steaming, and retrofits shrink available tonnage. 4. **Regulatory shifts** – CII and EU ETS mechanisms add cost pressures and affect charter premiums. 5. **Financial spillovers** – Freight indices increasingly move in sync with broader financial and commodity markets.   ### **3. Why Analytics Matters**   In volatile conditions, **information is leverage**. Analytics enables:   - **Short-horizon forecasts** → to anticipate rate moves in days or weeks. - **Scenario planning** → to prepare playbooks for route closures, sanctions, or fuel shocks. - **Voyage optimization** → to balance bunker costs, speed, and port choices against rate scenarios.   Done right, analytics is not just a dashboard but a **decision engine**.   ### **4. Capabilities That Move the Needle**   - **Forecasting tools**: probability bands for spot and time-charter rates. - **Scenario engines**: simulate disruptions and create predefined commercial responses. - **Optimization models**: recommend voyage speeds, routes, and contract choices. - **Counterparty overlays**: combine sanctions and payment-risk data into pricing. - **Performance monitoring**: measure forecast error and commercial outcomes to improve over time.   ### **5. Roadmap for Implementation**   1. **Define KPIs** – e.g., realized P&L vs forecast, forecast error reduction. 2. **Build a clean data foundation** – market indices, AIS/voyage logs, bunker costs, macro indicators. 3. **Deploy models** – use ensemble methods and scenario simulations. 4. **Integrate with chartering workflows** – analytics must recommend *actions*, not just display charts. 5. **Iterate & govern** – keep humans in the loop and track model calibration.   ### **6. Chartering Playbook Checklist**   - Start with one decision (relet timing or COA pricing). - Acquire high-quality market and voyage data. - Benchmark forecasts against simple baselines. - Develop three geopolitical scenario playbooks. - Roll out with a “recommendation + override” flow. - Measure outcomes and refine quarterly.   ### **7. Final Recommendations**   - **Volatility is opportunity**: the greater the swings, the greater the payoff from timely data. - **Invest in foundational data before advanced models.** - **Combine forecasts with scenarios and playbooks.** - **Embed analytics into workflows, not just dashboards.** - **Measure rigorously and keep expertise central.**   --- ### References 1. [Baltic Exchange – Baltic Dry Index](https://www.balticexchange.com/) 2. [Clarksons Research – Shipping Market Review](https://www.clarksons.com/research) 3. [UNCTAD – Review of Maritime Transport 2024](https://unctad.org/webflyer/review-maritime-transport-2024) 4. [Reuters – Russian Oil Freight Rate Updates](https://www.reuters.com/business/energy) 5. [Reuters – Red Sea Disruption Impacts](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east) 6. [PLOS One – Freight Forecasting Using AI Models](https://journals.plos.org/plosone) 7. [ScienceDirect – Financial Connectedness in Shipping Markets](https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/transportation-research-part-e-logistics-and-transportation-review) 8. [ClarkSea Index Data – 2025 Review](https://www.clarksons.com/services/clarksea-index)   [![Marlo ERP Ops Management for Maritime Compliance](https://www.marlo.co/hubfs/Blog%20banner%20%2839%29.png)](https://www.marlo.co/blog/marlo-erp-ops-management-for-maritime-compliance) #### [Marlo ERP Ops Management for Maritime Compliance](https://www.marlo.co/blog/marlo-erp-ops-management-for-maritime-compliance) ![Picture of Alex](https://www.marlo.co/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(98)-1.png?width=30&name=Untitled%20design%20(98)-1.png) [Alex](https://www.marlo.co/blog/author/alex): Jun 19, 2026 Maritime compliance obligations have expanded significantly over the past three years. EU ETS reporting, CII ratings, IMO Carbon Intensity... [Maritime ERP](https://www.marlo.co/blog/tag/maritime-erp) [CII compliance](https://www.marlo.co/blog/tag/cii-compliance) [EUETS](https://www.marlo.co/blog/tag/euets) [Voyage Management](https://www.marlo.co/blog/tag/voyage-management) [maritime-compliance](https://www.marlo.co/blog/tag/maritime-compliance) [CII rating](https://www.marlo.co/blog/tag/cii-rating) [Read More](https://www.marlo.co/blog/marlo-erp-ops-management-for-maritime-compliance) [![9 Reasons Maritime Ops Software Fails Decision Making](https://www.marlo.co/hubfs/Blog%20banner%20%2837%29.png)](https://www.marlo.co/blog/9-reasons-maritime-ops-software-fails-decision-making) #### [9 Reasons Maritime Ops Software Fails Decision Making](https://www.marlo.co/blog/9-reasons-maritime-ops-software-fails-decision-making) ![Picture of Alex](https://www.marlo.co/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(98)-1.png?width=30&name=Untitled%20design%20(98)-1.png) [Alex](https://www.marlo.co/blog/author/alex): Jun 5, 2026 Shipping companies invest in operations software to gain control over voyage P&L, bunker costs, laytime exposure, and compliance obligations. Yet... [Maritime ERP](https://www.marlo.co/blog/tag/maritime-erp) [Voyage Management](https://www.marlo.co/blog/tag/voyage-management) [Shipping Software](https://www.marlo.co/blog/tag/shipping-software) [Real-time maritime finance](https://www.marlo.co/blog/tag/real-time-maritime-finance) [Fleet-decision-making](https://www.marlo.co/blog/tag/fleet-decision-making) [Read More](https://www.marlo.co/blog/9-reasons-maritime-ops-software-fails-decision-making) [![How Shipping Company CFOs Can Get Real-Time Financial Visibility Across Their Fleet](https://www.marlo.co/hubfs/Blog%20banner%20%2836%29.png)](https://www.marlo.co/blog/shipping-company-cfo-real-time-financial-visibility) #### [How Shipping Company CFOs Can Get Real-Time Financial Visibility Across Their Fleet](https://www.marlo.co/blog/shipping-company-cfo-real-time-financial-visibility) ![Picture of Alex](https://www.marlo.co/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(98)-1.png?width=30&name=Untitled%20design%20(98)-1.png) [Alex](https://www.marlo.co/blog/author/alex): May 29, 2026 For most mid-size shipping companies, the CFO's financial picture of the fleet is assembled once a month. Voyage P&L comes from the operations... 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Covers voyage management, freight finance, banking, accounts payable and receivable, sanctions screening, CII compliance, and vessel performance monitoring.", "featureList" : [ "Voyage management system", "Pre-fixture and post-fixture operations", "Freight finance and voyage P&L", "Accounts payable and receivable", "Maritime banking and FX transfers", "Sanctions screening", "CII rating management", "Vessel and fleet valuation", "Cargo and vessel tracking", "Covenant monitoring", "Demurrage tracking", "Bunker cost management" ], "name" : "Marlo", "offers" : { "@type" : "Offer", "url" : "https://www.marlo.co/pricing" }, "operatingSystem" : "Web", "url" : "https://www.marlo.co" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "FAQPage", "mainEntity" : [ { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Maritime ERP software is a centralised platform that manages the full lifecycle of shipping operations — including voyage planning, freight finance, accounts payable and receivable, banking, and compliance. Unlike generic ERP systems, maritime ERP is built around the specific workflows of vessel owners, tanker operators, dry bulk operators, and commercial shipping companies. Marlo is a maritime ERP platform designed specifically for these operators." }, "name" : "What is maritime ERP software?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Marlo combines voyage management, finance, banking, and compliance in a single platform — whereas Veson IMOS primarily focuses on voyage management and requires third-party integrations for finance and banking. Marlo is built for dry bulk, tanker, and commercial shipping operators who want one connected system without the complexity and cost of enterprise legacy software." }, "name" : "How is Marlo different from Veson IMOS?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Yes. Marlo includes a full voyage management system covering pre-fixture planning, post-fixture operations, chartering, cargo tracking, and vessel performance monitoring — alongside integrated finance and banking tools. Shipping companies use Marlo to replace disconnected VMS, accounting, and banking tools with one platform." }, "name" : "Can Marlo replace my existing voyage management system?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Marlo is purpose-built for dry bulk operators, tanker owners, and commercial shipping companies. The platform handles the specific financial and operational workflows these segments require — including voyage P&L reconciliation, demurrage tracking, bunker cost management, and CII compliance monitoring." }, "name" : "Does Marlo support tanker and dry bulk operators?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Marlo Technologies Limited is headquartered in London, with offices in Chennai, Singapore, and Dubai. The platform is used by vessel owners and operators managing fleets across global dry bulk and tanker trade routes." }, "name" : "Where is Marlo based and who uses it?" } ] } ```