• Korea Trade Review
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.21-37
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• 2022

Baltic Dry Index (BDI) is difficult to forecast because of the high volatility and complexity. To improve the BDI forecasting ability, this study apply Bayesian variable selection method with a large number of predictors. Our estimation results based on the BDI and all predictors from January 2000 to September 2021 indicate that the out-of-sample prediction ability of the ADL model with the variable selection is superior to that of the AR model in terms of point and density forecasting. We also find that critical predictors for the BDI change over forecasts horizon. The lagged BDI are being selected as an key predictor at all forecasts horizon, but commodity price, the clarksea index, and interest rates have additional information to predict BDI at mid-term horizon. This implies that time variations of predictors should be considered to predict the BDI.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.63-79
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• 2013

The fundamental endeavor of this study is to investigate the asymmetric relationship between bunker price and Baltic Dry-bulk Index (hereafter BDI). Previous investigations employ linear form based analysis between oil price and BDI but we develop nonlinear and asymmetric cointegration method, which is properly able to capture the decreasing and increasing periods differently. The empirical results show there is no relationships in linear model (e.g. Engle and Granger's methods). On the contrary, our estimate reveals there is significant long-run relationship with asymmetric framework, which implies the necessity of nonlinear and asymmetric consideration to the bunker price analysis.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.217-240
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• 2011

In this study, vector autoregressive and vector error correction models in the short-run dynamics are considered to analyze the effect of the changes in international crude oil prices on Baltic dry index, Baltic Capesize index and Baltic Panamax index, and the intercorrelations between Capesize and Panamax prices, respectively. First, using the vector autoregressive model, the changes in international crude oil price have a statistically significant positive effect for Capesize at lag 1, for Panamax a significant negative effect at lag 3 and a significant positive effect for Baltic dry index at lag 1. From the impulse response analysis, the international crude oil price causes Baltic dry index to increase in the sort-run and the effect converges on the mean after 3 months. Second, using the vector error correction model, the empirical results for the spillover effects between Capesize and Panamax markets provide that in the case of the deviation from a long-run equilibrium the Panamax price is adjusted toward decreasing. The increases in freight rates of the Capesize market at lag 1 lead to increase the freight rates in Panamax market at present. The Panamax responses from the Capesize shocks increase rapidly for 3 months and the effect converges on the mean after 5 months. The Capesize responses from the Panamax shocks are relatively small, and increase weakly for 3 months and the effect disappears thereafter.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.701-716
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aims to predict the dry cargo transportation market economy. The subject of this study is the BDI (Baltic Dry Index) time-series, an index representing the dry cargo transport market. Methods: In order to increase the accuracy of the BDI time-series, we have pre-processed the original time-series via time-series decomposition and data augmentation techniques and have used them for ANN learning. The ANN algorithms used are Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) to compare and analyze the case of learning and predicting by applying time-series decomposition and data augmentation techniques. The forecast period aims to make short-term predictions at the time of t+1. The period to be studied is from '22. 01. 07 to '22. 08. 26. Results: Only for the case of the MAPE (Mean Absolute Percentage Error) indicator, all ANN models used in the research has resulted in higher accuracy (1.422% on average) in multivariate prediction. Although it is not a remarkable improvement in prediction accuracy compared to uni-variate prediction results, it can be said that the improvement in ANN prediction performance has been achieved by utilizing time-series decomposition and data augmentation techniques that were significant and targeted throughout this study. Conclusion: Nevertheless, due to the nature of ANN, additional performance improvements can be expected according to the adjustment of the hyper-parameter. Therefore, it is necessary to try various applications of multiple learning algorithms and ANN optimization techniques. Such an approach would help solve problems with a small number of available data, such as the rapidly changing business environment or the current shipping market.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.497-508
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to overcome limitations of conventional studies that to predict Baltic Dry Index (BDI). The study proposed applications of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) named Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) to predict BDI. Methods: The BDI time-series prediction was carried out through eight variables related to the dry bulk market. The prediction was conducted in two steps. First, identifying the goodness of fitness for the BDI time-series of specific ANN models and determining the network structures to be used in the next step. While using ANN's generalization capability, the structures determined in the previous steps were used in the empirical prediction step, and the sliding-window method was applied to make a daily (one-day ahead) prediction. Results: At the empirical prediction step, it was possible to predict variable y(BDI time series) at point of time t by 8 variables (related to the dry bulk market) of x at point of time (t-1). LSTM, known to be good at learning over a long period of time, showed the best performance with higher predictive accuracy compared to Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) and Recurrent Neural Network (RNN). Conclusion: Applying this study to real business would require long-term predictions by applying more detailed forecasting techniques. I hope that the research can provide a point of reference in the dry bulk market, and furthermore in the decision-making and investment in the future of the shipping business as a whole.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.127-141
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• 2019

In this study, the relationship between Baltic Dry Index(BDI) and maritime trade volume in the dry cargo market was verified using the vector autoregressive (VAR) model. Data was analyzed from 1992 to 2018 for iron ore, steam coal, coking coal, grain, and minor bulks of maritime trade volume and BDI. Granger causality analysis showed that the BDI affects the trade volume of coking coal and minor bulks but the trade volume of iron ore, steam coal and grain do not correlate with the BDI freight index. Impulse response analysis showed that the shock of BDI had the greatest impact on coking coal at the two years lag and the impact was negligible at the ten years lag. In addition, the shock of BDI on minor cargoes was strongest at the three years lag, and were negligible at the ten years lag. This study examined the relationship between maritime trade volume and BDI in the dry bulk shipping market in which uncertainty is high. As a result of this study, there is an economic aspect of sustainability that has helped the risk management of shipping companies. In addition, it is significant from an academic point of view that the long-term relationship between the two time series was analyzed through the causality test between variables. However, it is necessary to develop a forecasting model that will help decision makers in maritime markets using more sophisticated methods such as the Bayesian VAR model.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research Conference
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• 2017.11a
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• pp.50-53
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• 2017

Not only growth of importance to understanding economic trends, but also the prediction to overcome the uncertainty is coming up for long-term maritime recession. This paper discussed about the prediction of BDI with artificial neural networks (ANN). ANN is one of emerging applications that can be the finest solution to the knotty problems that may not easy to achieve by humankind. Proposed a prediction by implementing neural networks that have recurrent architecture which are a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM). And for the reason of comparison, trained Multi Layer Perceptron (MLP) from 2009.04.01 to 2017.07.31. Also made a comparison with conventional statistics, prediction tools; ARIMA. As a result, recurrent net, especially RNN outperformed and also could discover the applicability of LSTM to specific time-series (BDI).

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.17-36
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• 2021

Purpose - This study provides useful information to stakeholders by forecasting the tramp shipping market, which is a completely competitive market and has a huge fluctuation in freight rates due to low barriers to entry. Moreover, this study provides the most effective parameters for Baltic Dry Index (BDI) prediction and an optimal model by analyzing and comparing deep learning models such as the artificial neural network (ANN), recurrent neural network (RNN), and long short-term memory (LSTM). Design/methodology - This study uses various data models based on big data. The deep learning models considered are specialized for time series models. This study includes three perspectives to verify useful models in time series data by comparing prediction accuracy according to the selection of external variables and comparison between models. Findings - The BDI research reflecting the latest trends since 2015, using weekly data from 1995 to 2019 (25 years), is employed in this study. Additionally, we tried finding the best combination of BDI forecasts through the input of external factors such as supply, demand, raw materials, and economic aspects. Moreover, the combination of various unpredictable external variables and the fundamentals of supply and demand have sought to increase BDI prediction accuracy. Originality/value - Unlike previous studies, BDI forecasts reflect the latest stabilizing trends since 2015. Additionally, we look at the variation of the model's predictive accuracy according to the input of statistically validated variables. Moreover, we want to find the optimal model that minimizes the error value according to the parameter adjustment in the ANN model. Thus, this study helps future shipping stakeholders make decisions through BDI forecasts.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2017

The purpose of this investigation is to analyze the synchronization between the representative global freight index, the Baltic Dry bulk Index (BDI) and the China Container Freight Index (CCFI) with monthly data from 2000 to 2016. Using the non-stationarity of the business cycle that is able to include common trends, we employ the Engle-Granger 2 stage co-integration test and found no synchronization. On the contrary, we additionally estimated the causality between the markets and revealed the causality, which implies that the Chinese economy has a significant effect on the global market. The results of this empirical analysis demonstrate that the CCFI of China is appropriate for analyzing the shipping industry. In practice, this means that it is more appropriate to include CCFI in the global market outlook than use it as a substitute for the global freight rate index, the BDI. This is a case study of the synchronization of the economic fluctuations of the shipping industry. It suggests that the economic fluctuations of China need to be considered in the unstable global market forecast. In particular, this case applies to the fluctuations in the shipping industry synchronism and provides important results in scientific terms.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.181-190
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• 2018

The goal of this study is empirically to investigate the asymmetric relationship between two variables using the dry cargo freight rates and raw material price data from January 2012 to May 2018. First, we estimate the asymmetry of macroeconomic indicators of commodity prices by using a two - step threshold cointegration test. Second, the asymmetric relation test of the trade balance of existing commodity price changes is tested by bypassing to the high frequency dry cargo freight rate index. As a result of the estimation, in contrast to the existing linear analysis, each boundary value for the lower limit and the upper limit has different asymmetry. This implies that the period of fluctuation of the sudden residual that causes irregular rate of return fluctuations does not establish a long term equilibrium relationship between the raw material price and the dry cargo freight rate. Therefore, in order to consider the sudden price change in the analysis, it is necessary to include the band of inaction that controls the irregular volatility, which is consistent with the asymmetry hypothesis.