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Baltic index slips to 1-1/2 month short on weaker vessel rates

The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships ferrying dry bulk commodities, fell to its least expensive because midFebruary on weaker rates for all vessel sectors.

* The overall index, which consider rates for panamax, capesize and supramax shipping vessels, shed 42 points or 2.5% to 1,669 points, its least expensive level since Feb. 20.

* The capesize index was down by 83 points, or 3.4%,. at 2,354, marking its most affordable level in near 2 months.

* Typical everyday earnings for capesize vessels,. which usually transports 150,000-ton cargoes such as iron ore. and coal, was down by $693 at $19,522.

* The panamax index fell by 39 points, or 2.2%, to. 1,733 points, down for the tenth straight session.

* Typical daily incomes for panamax vessels, which. generally brings about 60,000-70,000 lots of coal or grain cargo,. reduced by $346 to $15,601.

* Volumes out of East Australia and other Pacific company. have lessened considering that start of the week. Volumes out of South. Africa have remained flat from last week, shipbroker Fearnleys. wrote in a weekly note on Wednesday.

* Among smaller vessels, the supramax index shed 11. points, or about 1%, to 1,273 points.

* Meanwhile, severe dry spell, which has required the Panama. Canal, one of the world's busiest trade passages, to restrict daily. crossings, could impact international supply chains throughout a period of. high demand, S&P Global said on Wednesday.

* The Dalian Commodity Exchange and the Shanghai Futures. Exchange will be closed on April 4 and 5 due to the. Tomb-Sweeping Day holiday in China, the bourses said.