The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk freight index, which measures shipping rates for vessels transporting dry bulk commodities, rose for a second straight session on Thursday, gaining 1.7% to 2,740 points — its highest level since October 13 — driven by strength in the larger vessel segments.
The capesize index, tracking ships that typically carry 150,000-ton cargoes such as iron ore and coal, also advanced for a second day, jumping 2.3% to 4,191 points, a near one-month high. The panamax index, which reflects rates for vessels that usually transport 60,000 to 70,000 tons of coal or grain, climbed 3.3% to 1,956 points, its highest level in over a week.
In contrast, the supramax index, which covers smaller vessels, extended its decline, slipping a further 0.6% to 1,824 points, the lowest reading since October 12.