Abstract: The invention introduces a system and method of predicting freight rates. This method allows for purchasers of freight to get many different options of the current market price. It also allows the purchaser to buy that freight and book the shipment. So, the platform is collecting valuable proprietary data related to rates and shipping in general. The present invention allows those purchasing freight (or have financial interest e.g. financial institutions) to obtain future predictions of rates. The present invention enables those purchasing freight or others to better optimize their decision process. The platform will utilize the platform's data plus other inputs as needed (see inputs to predictive rates) to provide visibility to future rates and optimize the shipper's freight spend. With this information shippers, can now make data driven decisions on when to procure based off the current market and the future rather than only one the current market.