Index-Linked Contract Simulator

The Index-Linked Contract Simulator lets you model how an indexed rate would behave over time, using the same indices and methodologies that govern the live platform. Use it to compare indexing against a fixed rate, test different rules, and see how a contract would have performed through volatile periods, before you commit.

Before you start

The Simulator lives under Indexing. You can model a single lane or a whole portfolio of lanes, so have your origin and destination ports and approximate annual volumes to hand.

Step 1 — Choose your lanes

Open a simulation and select what you want to model:

• For a single corridor, pick the origin and destination.
• For a portfolio, use Edit lanes to add multiple lanes and set the volume for each. The chart then shows the volume-weighted average across all lanes, and you can select an individual lane at any time to see its own rates.

Step 2 — Set your index model rules

In the rules panel, define how the contract behaves. These map directly to the parameters described in how indexed rates are calculated:

• Reference index — the market rate your contract tracks.
• Adjustment frequency — how often the rate recalculates, for example monthly.
• Calculation day — the day of the month the new rate takes effect.
• Rate calculation method — rate on day or average over period.
• Period length — the averaging window, when you use average over period.
• Guardrails — an optional floor and ceiling to cap how far the rate can move.
• Discount or premium and starting rate — your position relative to the index.

Step 3 — Read the chart

The chart plots your scenario over time. You can compare the market index, your current rates, and the index-linked contract rate on the same view, and switch the time range (for example 5Y, 3Y, 1Y, 6M, or a custom window) to see how the contract would have behaved through different market conditions.

Step 4 — Review the impact

The summary below the chart turns the scenario into numbers you can take into a decision:

• Total annual spend and average rate per TEU, for your rates versus the index-linked contract.
• An estimate of the RFQ time you would save by indexing instead of retendering.

Use Savings breakdown to see where the difference comes from across the period.

Step 5 — Export

Export the scenario to share it with your team or take it into a budget or supplier conversation.