The Baltic Exchange main sea freight index which tracks rates of ships transporting dry bulk goods rose for the third consecutive week due to higher rates in the panamax segment and supramax segment.

* The overall index which includes rates for capesizes, panamaxes and supramaxes shipping vessels increased 6 points or 0.3% to 1,948 last Friday. The index recorded a 3.6% weekly increase.

* The Capesize Index fell 28 points or 0.9% to 2,957. This week, the index fell 1.3%.

The average daily earnings of capesize ships, which transport cargoes such as coal and iron ore, typically weighing 150,000 tons, were down $227 to $24,525.

Iron ore futures prices rose despite higher than expected hot metal production, but concerns about demand and large portside inventories in China drove down the price for a third consecutive week.

* The panamax Index rose 30 points or 1.6% to 1,950. This week, it rose by 11.4%.

The average daily earnings of panamax vessels that carry 60,000 to 70,000 tons coal or grain cargo increased from $266 up to $17 546.

* The supramax index for smaller vessels rose 22 points to 1,335. The index ended a losing streak of four weeks and posted a gain of 6.5% per week. (Reporting and editing by Shreya Biwas in Bengaluru. Anmol Choubey is based in Bengaluru.