Baltic Index Drops On Capesize Rates

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)