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Baltic index strikes one-week high as larger vessel rates increase

The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk sea freight index rose to a oneweek high up on Thursday, assisted by greater rates for the capesize and panamax vessel segments.

* The total index, which consider rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, rose by 103 points, or 6.5%, to 1,690 points.

* The capesize index gained 273 points, or 12.4%, to 2,475, hitting it greatest level since March 28.

* Average daily profits for capesize vessels, which typically transfers 150,000-ton cargoes such as iron ore and coal, increased by $2,257 to $20,523.

* We see a moderate level of volumes from miners, some operators, and tenders all primarily for late April dates ... Volumes out of East Australia and other Pacific companies have picked up, with enquiries ranging from 2nd half of April timely dates till mid-May dates, shipbroker Fearnleys wrote in a weekly note on Wednesday.

* Iron ore futures prices wandered higher as the current soft information from leading customer China triggered renewed hopes of more stimulus in the second quarter to underpin its economy.

* The panamax index got 46 points or 2.8% to 1,677 points.

* Typical everyday revenues for panamax vessels, which usually brings about 60,000-70,000 lots of coal or grain freight, rose $412 to $15,092.

* Among smaller sized vessels, the supramax index edged up about 0.1% to 1,261 points.

(source: Reuters)