Latest News

Baltic index slips for 5th straight day on weaker vessel rates

The Baltic Exchange's primary sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, succumbed to the fifth successive session on Wednesday dragged by weaker rates throughout all sectors.

* The total index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, fell 104 points, or 5.22%, to 1,889, its highest single-day loss because April 23.

* The capesize index slipped 232 points, or 7.92%,. to 2,699, its most affordable level in nearly 2 weeks.

* Average daily earnings for capesize vessels,. which normally carry 150,000-ton cargoes of iron ore and. coal, to name a few, reduced $1,928 to $22,383.

* The dry bulk market was strong last week fueled by high. mineral activity, specifically China's iron ore imports,. contrasting with slow domestic steel usage, Intermodal. Research study analyst Chara Georgousi stated in a weekly note on. Tuesday.

* Iron ore rates extended their loss for a 2nd straight. session on Wednesday, weighed by expectations of seasonally. falling demand in China and the United States raising tariff on. some Chinese items.

* The panamax index was down 73 points, or about. 3.69%, at 1,905.

* Typical daily earnings for panamax vessels, which. usually bring about 60,000-70,000 lots of coal or grain cargo,. fell $658 to $17,141.

* Among smaller vessels, the supramax index reduced 22. points, or 1.49%, to 1,453.

(source: Reuters)