Baltic Index Gains as Rates for Larger Vessels Improve

The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk sea freight index climbed on Tuesday, lifted by firmer rates in the larger capesize and panamax vessel segments.

The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, rose by 87 points, or 3.2%, to 2,805, its second straight session of gains.

The capesize index increased by 297 points, or 8.8%, to 3,675, its highest level in a week.

While the overall demand outlook for capesizes seems to be "challenging" for the remainder of the year, lower iron ore prices and increased port congestion could fundamentally shift the final balance in this market, Allied Shipbroking said in a weekly note.

Average daily earnings for capesizes, which transport 150,000-tonne cargoes such as iron ore and coal, rose $2,461 to $30,475.

China's coke futures fell weighed by reports of bad weather in northern provinces and cities hampering the transportation of the steelmaking input, while iron ore came under pressure by worries over falling steel prices.

With steel production having reached 806 million tonnes of the target 1.06 billion tonnes, slower production is expected in the final quarter resulting in a decreased need for raw materials and fewer iron ore imports, the shipbroker added, referring to China's environmental policy to reduce total carbon emissions.

The panamax index edged up 21 points, or 0.7%, to 3,084, snapping a 10-session losing streak.

Average daily earnings for panamaxes, which ferry 60,000-70,000 tonne coal or grain cargoes, increased by $195 to $27,759.

However, the supramax index fell 50 points, or 2.1%, to 2,284, its lowest level in nearly six months.

(Reporting by Kavya Guduru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)