Baltic Index Remains Flat on Monday

The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, remained flat on Monday as demand for capesize vessels was offset by weaker demand for panamax vessels.

* The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, was flat at 1,773 points.

* The capesize index gained 22 points, or 0.6 percent, to 3,654 points.

* Average daily earnings for capesizes, which typically transport 170,000-180,000 tonne cargoes such as iron ore and coal, were up $159 to $27,283.

* The panamax index was down 27 points, or 1.9 percent, at 1,420 points.

* Average daily earnings for panamaxes, which usually carry coal or grain cargoes of about 60,000 to 70,000 tonnes, decreased $212 to $11,362.

* The supramax index remained flat at 1,030 points.

Reporting by Harshith Aranya in Bengaluru