marine link image
REGISTER NOW FOR the Port of the Future Conference • 2 Days, 50 Ports • Houston, TX • March 24–25, 2026

Baltic Index Drops On Capesize Rates

November 21, 2019

© yaniv / Adobe Stock
© yaniv / Adobe Stock

The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index ticked lower for a sixth straight session on Thursday, hurt by weaker demand for capesize vessels.

* The Baltic index, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels ferrying dry bulk commodities, was down 5 points, or 0.4%, at 1,255 points.

* The capesize index fell 34 points, or 1.4%, to 2,401 points, it's lowest since June 18.

* Average daily earnings for capesizes, which typically transport 170,000-180,000 tonne cargoes such as iron ore and coal, shed $256 to $18,350.

* Capesize rates have softened as Brazil iron ore exports have again failed to live up to expectations and Atlantic coal remains in limbo, ship broker Fearnleys said in a note on Wednesday.

* The panamax index inched up 2 points to 1,129 points.

* Average daily earnings for panamaxes, which usually carry coal or grain cargoes of about 60,000 tonnes to 70,000 tonnes, edged $15 higher to $9,066.

* The supramax index rose 13 points to 731. 

(Reporting by Nakul Iyer in Bengaluru)

Logistics News

Six Vessels Attacked as War Puts Merchant Ships on Front Lines

Six Vessels Attacked as War Puts Merchant Ships on Front Lines

FMC Issues Warning on Strait of Hormuz Surcharges

FMC Issues Warning on Strait of Hormuz Surcharges

Chubb to Serve as Lead US Insurer for Gulf Shipping Amid Iran War

Chubb to Serve as Lead US Insurer for Gulf Shipping Amid Iran War

MSC Secures 45‑Year Lagos Port Concession

MSC Secures 45‑Year Lagos Port Concession

Subscribe for Maritime Logistics Professional E‑News

Lufthansa will operate the majority of flights planned during the pilot strike
Oman tries to control fires at Salalah Port after drones strike
Air New Zealand cuts flights due to fuel price hike.