Baltic index rises to over four-month high on gains across vessel segments

Baltic Dry Bulk Index Surges to Highest Level Since December 2025

Key Developments in the Baltic Dry Bulk Freight Market

Baltic Exchange Dry Bulk Index Performance

April 17 (Reuters) - The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk freight index, which monitors rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, surged to its highest in more than four months on Friday and logged a weekly rise, as vessels across the board gained.

• The main Baltic index, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, was up 44 points, or 1.7%, at 2,567, its highest level since early December 2025.

• The index was up for the eleventh straight session and rose 16.6% for the week. This is its biggest weekly rise since the end of January.

Capesize Vessel Index

• The capesize index added 102 points, or about 2.5%, to 4,128, its highest level in more than four months. The index logged a 24.4% weekly rise.

• Average daily earnings for capesize vessels, which typically transport 150,000-ton cargoes, including iron ore and coal, were up $920 at $33,932.

Market Drivers for Capesize Segment

• Dalian iron ore futures edged higher on Friday, as investors weighed potential supply disruptions in Australia against tempered demand stemming from China's environmental curbs in a key steel-making province. [IRONORE/]

• "Freight markets show Pacific-led strength in Capesize," Kpler said in a note dated Wednesday.

Panamax Vessel Index

• The panamax index added 5 points, or around 0.3%, to 1,975, marking the highest level since early March and logging a 6.5% weekly gain.

• Average daily earnings for panamax vessels, which usually carry 60,000 to 70,000 tons of coal or grain, increased by $43 to $17,773.

Supramax Vessel Index

• The supramax index gained 17 points, or 1.2%, to 1,415. It posted a weekly rise of 8.2%.

Reporting and Editorial Credits

(Reporting by Anjana Anil in Bengaluru; Editing by Diti Pujara)