A new benchmark for multimodal freight performance across Eurasian corridors
The Maxmodal Silk Road Index (MSRI)[1] has officially been launched as the world's first truly multimodal container index, setting a new benchmark for measuring, comparing, and understanding freight performance across the Eurasian transport network. Unlike traditional indices focused only on ocean shipping, the MSRI integrates real costs from rail, road, sea, ferry, and terminal handling, providing a comprehensive picture of container movements from inland China to inland Europe. At its core, the MSRI tracks both the Middle and Southern corridors of the New Silk Road, capturing the true cost structure across end-to-end supply chains.
This transparency supports better decision-making in an industry where most cargo no longer begins or ends at a seaport. "By including every transport mode and key handling points, the MSRI reflects how supply chains actually work today," said Maxmodal in its launch statement. "This makes it a neutral benchmark for shippers, forwarders, terminals, operators, financial institutions, and regulators alike."
Knowledge partnership with RailFreight.com
As part of a knowledge partnership, RailFreight.com will publish the Maxmodal Silk Road Index on its platform, bringing this new data-driven benchmark directly to the international multimodal transport and logistics community.
Benefits for the international transport & logistics industry
The MSRI offers clear, practical benefits to a wide range of stakeholders: Shippers and freight forwarders can evaluate routing strategies and compare pricing levels.
Terminal operators and transport providers gain insights into corridor competitiveness and operational efficiency. Policy-makers and regulators can base their decisions on customs, subsidies, and infrastructure on evidence rather than assumptions. Financial institutions, such as the World Bank, ADB, and EBRD, can use the data to inform their infrastructure investment decisions.
In addition to pricing, Maxmodal will expand the index over time to cover transit times, service quality, carbon emissions, digitalisation, and market volumes -- offering a 360-degree view of transport and logistics performance.
Market intelligence and global reach
The index is designed as both a benchmarking tool and a source of market intelligence. Monthly MSRI reports will feature: Corridor comparisons between the Middle Corridor, Southern Corridor, and Deep Sea (via Suez).
Route-level rankings across 27 Eurasian connections. Hub-level analytics for 12 major transit and border points. Country-specific insights across an initial group of 10 Silk Road nations.
Maxmodal intends the MSRI to become the first of a global series of multimodal indices, with future expansions planned across the Americas, Africa, and Australia.
With Eurasia alone representing over 60% of global GDP and 68% of the world's population, the MSRI has the potential to evolve into a new macroeconomic indicator for the transport and logistics industry.
Independent and neutral
A key feature of the MSRI is its independence.
Maxmodal emphasises that the index is not tied to any logistics group, carrier, or government, making it suitable as an industry-wide standard for transparency and reliability.
References
- ^ Maxmodal Silk Road Index (MSRI) (index.maxmodal.com)