* The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize,
panamax, supramax and handysize shipping vessels, was up 6
points, or 0.39%, to 1,558.
* The capesize index gained 57 points, or 2.51%, at
2,325 - its highest level since Dec. 22.
* Average daily earnings for capesizes , which
typically transport 150,000-tonne cargoes carrying commodities
such as iron ore and coal, increased by $474 to $19,283.
* As iron ore flows from both Brazil and Australia bolstered
the capesize sector, it led the way against weaker activity from
other sizes, shipbroker Intermodal wrote in a weekly note.
* The panamax index was down 23 points, or 1.47%, at
its lowest since March 1 at 1,540 points.
* Average daily earnings for panamaxes , which
usually carry coal or grain cargoes of about 60,000 to 70,000
tonnes, declined by $204 to $13,862.
* Tonnage demand for all the reported routes was subdued
with declines in rates materializing across Atlantic and Pacific
basins leading Panamax earnings to drop, Intermodal added.
* Among smaller vessels, the supramax index fell 21 points to $1,123. (Reporting by Ananya Bajpai in Bengaluru; editing by Eileen Soreng)
