ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the major sources of chartering information, the most important information centres in the world, how this information is transmitted within the chartering network, what the means of communication are and how significant the time factor. The continuous flow of information and the treatment and evaluation of the collected material are necessary elements for a correct judgment of the current situation and trends in the freight markets. London, New York and Tokyo are of primary interest as information centres, but Oslo, Piraeus, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Geneva and Paris also play a crucial role in the distribution of shipping information. Independent, high quality dry, wet and gas freight market information is provided by the Baltic Exchange, whilst the freight derivatives market is also covered. The Baltic and International Maritime Council in Copenhagen is a leading maritime organisation with around 2,300 members, being shipowners, operators, managers, brokers and agents spread all over the world.
