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Baltic index extends decrease as larger vessel rates dip

The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk products, fell for a fourteenth consecutive session on Tuesday as rates for the larger vessel segments slipped.

* The total index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, fell by 24 points, or 1.5%, to 1,570 points, its lowest level in two months.

* The capesize index dipped by 45 points, or 2.1%,. to over a two-month trough at 2,153.

* Typical daily revenues for capesize vessels,. which usually transfers 150,000-ton cargoes such as iron ore. and coal, decreased by $372 to $17,854.

* Iron ore futures prices rose for a 2nd straight. session, underpinned by mounting hopes of improving need for. the essential steelmaking active ingredient in leading customer China in the. coming weeks.

* The panamax index fell by 34 points, or about 2%,. to 1,633 points.

* Average everyday earnings for panamax vessels, which. usually brings about 60,000-70,000 tons of coal or grain freight,. fell $302 to $14,699.

* Among smaller sized vessels, the supramax index ticked. approximately 1,259 points.

* Meanwhile, the U.S. armed force stated on Monday it damaged. air defence and drone systems of Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi. forces in the location of the Red Sea, without any injuries or damage. reported to industrial, U.S. and union ships.

(source: Reuters)