The Baltic Exchange's primary sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships carrying dry bulk products, edged higher on Tuesday as the capesize vessel segment got.

* The total index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, climbed 5 points, or 0.28%, to 1,813.

* The capesize index gained 23 points, or 0.82%, to 2,839, its greatest level given that May 14.

* Average daily revenues for capesize vessels, which generally transport 150,000-ton cargoes of iron ore and coal, among others, increased $188 to $23,545.

* Iron ore futures plunged to their lowest level in nearly 7 weeks, pressured by deteriorating demand in leading customer China in the near and long term, as well as relentless high portside inventories.

* The panamax index fell 2 points, or about 0.12%,. to 1,679.

* Typical everyday incomes for panamax vessels, which. typically carry about 60,000-70,000 lots of coal or grain cargo,. dipped $18 to $15,112.

* Among smaller vessels, the supramax index eased. for the fifteenth consecutive session by 7 points, or 0.55%, to. 1,265, marking its lowest level because April 11.