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Baltic index marks weekly dip on bigger vessel weak point

The Baltic Exchange's primary sea freight index declined on Friday, marking a weekly drop on the back of weaker demand in the bigger vessel segments.

* The total index, which consider rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, fell by 22 points, or 1.3%, to 1,721 points, its most affordable level in over 2 weeks.

* The index was down above 10% for the week.

* The capesize index shed 58 points, or 2.6%, to 2,172, marking its lowest level since April 10, decreasing for the 6th straight session. The index signed up a weekly decline of over 23%.

* Typical day-to-day earnings for capesize vessels, which usually carries 150,000-ton freights such as iron ore and coal, reduced by $483 to $18,012.

* Iron ore futures were poised for a third straight weekly rise as rates mostly combined gains, with improving need in top consumer China countering higher portside inventories.

* The panamax index was down by 18 points or about 1% to 1,878 points, marking its lowest level since April 17. The agreement was down for the first time in the last three weeks.

* Average everyday earnings for panamax vessels, which generally brings about 60,000-70,000 lots of coal or grain freight, lost $165 to $16,900.

* This week in the panamax market reflects a normally stable yet controlled tone with a number of local nuances. The market closely mirrors normal seasonal patterns, expecting a. downturn in the coming month, shipbroker Fearnleys composed in a. weekly note on Wednesday.

* Amongst smaller sized vessels, the supramax index was up. by 7 points, to 1,495 points and recorded a weekly rise of 7.2%.

(source: Reuters)