The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk freight index fell for a fifth consecutive session on Wednesday, slipping about 1% to 3,327 points, its lowest reading since 1 September, sources indicated on 16 September 2026.

The Baltic Dry Index tracks the cost of shipping dry bulk commodities and is widely used to gauge activity in the dry bulk freight market. According to the report, the index’s latest move marked the fifth straight day of declines.

Among the subcomponents, the capesize index dropped by 1.3% to 5,612 points on Wednesday. The capesize grouping typically represents the largest dry bulk vessels, which carry about 150,000-ton cargoes such as iron ore and coal, the report noted.

The downward swings recorded over the five-session span left the Baltic Dry Index at levels not seen since the start of September.

Key figures from the report:

  • Baltic Dry Index: 3,327 points, down about 1%.
  • Capesize index: 5,612 points, down 1.3%.
  • Lowest Baltic Dry Index reading since 1 September.

Index function and scope

The Baltic Dry Index is a composite measure assembled by the Baltic Exchange and is used to track freight rates for ships moving dry bulk commodities. The report emphasised that the index serves as a direct measure of costs for shipping basic dry cargoes.

The capesize index is one of the larger vessel classes contained within the exchange’s indices and is cited in the report for its recent decline. reports reiterated that capesize vessels commonly transport large bulk loads such as iron ore and coal.

Short-term movement documented

The five-session fall in the Baltic Dry Index, culminating in the reading of 3,327, was recorded on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, in the report published by reports. The capesize component’s drop to 5,612 was noted in the same item.

The report supplied the numerical snapshot and the specific date, and these figures form the basis of the market movement described in this article.

The Baltic Exchange’s indices and the figures reported offer a concise account of freight-cost movement for dry bulk shipping over the most recent sessions covered by the reports item dated 16 September 2026.