The fragmented nature of project and breakbulk cargo logistics, which includes multiple cargo streams and vessel types and is dominated by tramp trading patterns that span the globe, renders the sector opaque and difficult to grasp for even the most sophisticated industry members. Indices based on reports from vessel operators, owners, and brokers provide valuable information but are focused on a single aspect of this market, the carriers’ perspective. The Journal of Commerce is exploring ideas for a new breakbulk index, the Breakbulk Logistics Managers Index (BLMI), which would be based on anonymized reporting from the cargo owner/controller perspective and constructed similarly to the PMI indices created by S&P Global, our parent company. These track direction of change for a range of indicators key to a given sector. It will not be possible to create this index without cooperation and assistance from the breakbulk industry. In this session, senior research analyst Susan Oatway and senior editor Janet Nodar will explain the index concept, discuss it in depth with our shipper representatives, and take questions from the audience.