Delta Global Shipping Index

"The creation of the DGI Global Shipping Index stems from the growth of the shipping sector and its maturation in terms of investment depth," said Chip Hanlon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Delta Global Indices. "The index is meant to provide representative exposure to this important and high-yielding industrial group."

Shipping Capacity

In the oil tanker industry, the phasing out of single hull tankers is scheduled to be complete by 2010. A strong supply of new ships coming to market is keeping tanker rates relatively well-balanced. On the other hand, a shortage in bulk dry vessels that ship iron ore and other essential commodities is leading to significantly higher shipping rates in this industry. Meanwhile the container industry remains fairly well-balanced, with strong demand having recently absorbed new shipping supply.

Shipping Rates

Even in the context of generally increasing supply in the oil tankers, containers, and dry bulk shipper industries, freight rates remain strong, reflecting surging shipping demand and continued economic growth around the globe. Not unlike what helped drive the commodity boom in recent years, some of today's remaining shipping bottlenecks result from a lack of new investment in the 1990's. Backlogged demand for increased shipping capacity remains, which continues to give charterers the upper hand in terms of daily shipping rates.

More than 2/3 of the world's goods are delivered by sea. Maritime shipping is a sector which provides direct exposure to international trade, commodities and global infrastructure.