Baltic Dry Index Extends to Over 4-Month High

The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index rose 4.4% to 3,056 on Wednesday, marking a fifth consecutive session of gains and reaching its highest level since August 10. The index tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels. Capesize rates led the advance, with the index jumping 6.3% to 5,033, also its highest since August 10. Average daily earnings for capesize vessels, which typically carry around 150,000 tons of iron ore and coal, rose $2,706 to $42,148. Iron ore futures gained as Typhoon Narra disrupted shipping routes in the South China Sea, tightening supply and lifting freight costs. The panamax index climbed 3.7% to 2,246, its highest since August 13, while average daily earnings increased $717 to $20,213. The supramax index edged up 0.1% to 1,644.

The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk freight index, which monitors rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, advanced for a fourth consecutive session on Tuesday, rising about 1.5% to a fresh high since August 12 at 2,926 points. The capesize index, which typically transports 150,000-ton cargoes including iron ore and coal, also increased for a fourth day, surging by 2% to a two-week high of 4,735 points; and the panamax index, which tracks vessels carrying around 60,000 to 70,000 tons of coal or grain, gained for a third session, up 2% to 2,166 points. Among smaller vessels, the supramax index edged up by 0.1% to 1,643 points.

The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk freight index, which monitors rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, was up for a third session on Monday, rising about 1.4% to its highest level since August 12 at 2,882 points, supported by gains across all vessel segments. The capesize index, which typically transports 150,000-ton cargoes including iron ore and coal, also advanced for a third day, climbing 2% to a near two-week high of 4,643 points; and the panamax index, which tracks vessels carrying around 60,000 to 70,000 tons of coal or grain, rose for a second session, up 1.3% to 2,131 points. Among smaller vessels, the supramax index edged up by 0.1% to 1,641 points.