Geopolitical#231tier 2experimentalNew

acled red sea freight premium

cadence: Dailydata: mediumlong only
paper
2017
Source
Extends: Adland, R., Cariou, P., Wolff, F.-C. (2017). "What makes a freight market index? An empirical analysis of vessel fixtures in the offshore market." Transportation Research Part E. Bab-el-Mandeb/Suez chokepoint specification is novel (alphactor 2026-05-20).
Read the paper →

What it checks

When conflict heats up around the Red Sea / Suez (Yemen / Saudi / Egypt), freight rates spike and dry-bulk + tanker stocks rally.

Mechanism

Conflict events in Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt — particularly along the Red Sea / Suez Canal / Bab-el-Mandeb shipping corridor — push spot freight rates higher. Insurance premiums spike, vessels reroute around Cape of Good Hope (~10-14 days transit), and the dry-bulk + tanker basket re-rates positively on spread expansion.

No production champion data for this family yet. Stats appear once the discovery pipeline promotes at least one strategy with this family tag, or once a multi-family blend that includes it earns a champion slot.

Signal rule

14d count of state_based + non_state ACLED events in Yemen / Saudi / Egypt, z over 360d. z>=+1.5 → LONG dry-bulk + tanker basket. Hold 10/20d.

Data dependencies

  • daily_prices

    Adjusted-close OHLCV for every US-listed ticker; primary price feed.

  • acled_events

    Worker data table — see services/worker schema.

Expected edge

Paper alpha
+1% to +2% over 20d
Paper window
T+0 to T+20d

Target +75 to +200 bps over 20d on qualifying fires (~4-10 per year).

Example tickers where this is likely to fire

Illustrative only — the signal fires based on the live data, not a fixed list.

Related families

Explore acled red sea freight premium on alphactor.ai

See which tickers this family is currently firing on, with live signals and rankings.

For informational and educational purposes only. Not financial advice. Learn more