As an example, the BDI, or Baltic Dry Index (published daily), which tracks the cost of shipping raw materials like coal and steel, is up about 36% since early January - but with peaks and troughs creating substantial volatility.
(Technical note: BDI is a composite index made up of a weighted sum of cost indices for various size of ships: 40% Capesize, 30% Panamax, 30% Supramax).
