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Baltic index logs weekly gain on strong vessel rates

The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk sea freight index reinforced to hit an over twomonth peak on Friday and published a weekly gain, as rates across all vessel sections pressed greater.

* The general index, which consider rates for supramax, capesize and panamax shipping vessels, was up 92 points, or 4.4%, at 2,203 points, its highest since Dec. 19.

* The index was up 18% for the week.

* The capesize index gained 234 points, or 6.3%, to 3,977, an eleven-week high, to post a 26% weekly increase.

* Average everyday earnings for capesize vessels, which typically carries 150,000-ton cargoes such as iron ore and coal, increased by $1,940 to $32,985.

* Iron ore futures slid on Friday, logging their 2nd weekly loss, in the middle of weak factory information and mounting doubts on whether policymakers in leading customer China will reveal vibrant policies to help its economy.

* The panamax index extended gains, adding 42 points to 1,723 indicate reach its highest point in 2 months, and was up 8% for the week.

* Typical day-to-day earnings for panamax vessels, which usually carries about 60,000-70,000 tons of coal or grain freight, was up $379 at $15,509.

* Amongst smaller vessels, the supramax index scaled a two-month peak, getting 10 indicate 1,267 points, and logging a 6.6% weekly increase.