• Ocean-freight rates fall as global demand slows for some commodities
  Surging demand and a shortage of ships pushed freight rates to record highs in December. But since then, the Baltic Dry Index,..., has fallen by more than half,....

• Collapse in ocean freight rates ..as mineral demand in China remained unexpectedly muted. The Baltic Index fell to its lowest level since July 2004...
  But a more accurate representation could be that shipments are being deferred to obtain cheaper freight rates in a falling market.