* The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize,
panamax and supramax shipping vessels carrying dry bulk
commodities, rose 26 points or about 1.7% to 1,536 - its highest
in almost three weeks.
* The capesize index gained 114 points, or 5.7%, to
its highest since mid-March of 2,100.
* Average daily earnings for capesizes , which
typically transport 150,000-tonne cargoes carrying commodities
such as iron ore and coal, rose $948 to $17,419.
* Increased iron ore prices in Australia helped drive the
capesize index higher, shipbroker Intermodal said in a weekly
note.
* The panamax index fell 27 points, or 1.6%, to
1,640 - its lowest since March-end.
* Average daily earnings for panamaxes , which
usually carry coal or grain cargoes of about 60,000 to 70,000
tonnes, decreased $240 to $14,761.
* "Panamax market activity was steady with tight supply in
the Atlantic underpinning sentiment," added Intermodal.
* Among smaller vessels, the supramax index down 13
points at 1,203.
* Iron ore futures were mixed with prices in Singapore
rebounding modestly, while its Dalian benchmark extended losses
after a China steel industry group urged producers to curb
output to keep themselves afloat. (Reporting by Ananya Bajpai in Bengaluru; Editing by Shweta
Agarwal)
April 26 (Reuters) - The Baltic Exchange's main sea
freight index edged up on Wednesday as higher rates for
capesizes outweighed declines in smaller vessel segments.
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