* The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and
supramax shipping vessels, rose 46 points, or about 4.2%, to 1,145, its highest
since Jan. 5.
* Among other vessel segments, the capesize index rose 71 points, or
7.6%, to its highest in more than six weeks, at 1,000.
* Average daily earnings for capesizes , which typically transport
150,000-tonne cargoes such as iron ore and coal, increased $593 to $8,296.
* Dalian coking coal futures scaled an eight-month peak on Thursday as a
large-scale coal mine collapse in northern China's Inner Mongolia region
prompted safety checks, fanning fears of supply tightness.
* The panamax index , up for the eighth straight session, gained 41
points, or about 2.7%, at 1,556.
* Average daily earnings for panamaxes , which usually carry coal or
grain cargoes of about 60,000 to 70,000 tonnes, were up $372 at $14,006.
* "Solid demand from South America for March and April along with the
Indonesian market showing strong demand for the smaller Panamax types was
buoying the segment," shipbroker Fearnleys wrote in a weekly report.
* Among smaller vessels, the supramax index rose 36 points to 1,192.
(Reporting by Ananya Bajpai in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)
