Baltic index at lowest in over five months on lower capesize, supramax rates

LONDON: The Baltic Exchange’s Dry Bulk Sea Freight index, which tracks rates for vessels transporting dry bulk commodities, edged down on Monday and touched its lowest level in more than five months, as lower rates in capesize and supramax segments overshadowed gains in the panamax segment.

The main index, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax, and supramax vessels, lost 31 points to 1,851, its lowest since July 2025.

The capesize index fell by 59 points, or 1.9%, to 3,049.

Average daily earnings for capesize vessels, which typically transport 150,000-ton cargoes such as iron ore and coal, decreased by $538 to $24,149.

However, China’s iron ore futures rose on Monday, the first trading session of the New Year, supported by strong demand and ongoing supply constraints.

Among smaller vessels, the supramax index lost 33 points to 1,043 points.

Meanwhile, the panamax index rose by 11 points, or 0.9%, to 1,293 points.

Average daily earnings for panamax vessels, which usually carry 60,000 to 70,000 tons of coal or grain, increased by $104 to $11,640.
Source: Reuters