Baltic Index Falls

The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities fell on Thursday, weighed down by lower rates for capesize vessels.

* The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, fell 26 points, or 1.5 percent, to 1,709 points.

* The capesize index fell by 139 points, or 4 percent, to 3,232 points - its weakest since July 30.

* Average daily earnings for capesizes, which typically transport 170,000-180,000 tonne cargoes such as iron ore and coal, decreased $1,012 to $24,042.

* The panamax index was up 47 points, or 3 percent, to 1,607 points.

* Average daily earnings for panamaxes, which usually carry coal or grain cargoes of about 60,000 to 70,000 tonnes, rose by $370 to $12,870.

* The supramax index rose 9 points to 1,087 points.

Reporting by Karen Rodrigues in Bengaluru