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Baltic index strikes two-week low as bigger vessel rates slide

The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index extended declines on Thursday to hit its lowest level in more than 2 weeks as rates for the capesize and panamax vessel sections pulled away.

* The overall index, which consider rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, fell 44 points, or 1.9%, to 2,240 points, its least expensive level given that March 6.

* The capesize index lost 102 points, or 2.8%, at 3,588.

* Typical day-to-day earnings for capesize vessels, which generally carries 150,000-ton freights such as iron ore and coal, decreased by $849 to $29,752.

* Iron ore futures rose, assisted by renewed expectations of even more financial policy reducing in top customer China and enhanced profitability among particular steelmakers.

* The panamax index was down by 47 points or 2.1%,. at 2,204 points.

* Typical day-to-day earnings for panamax vessels, which. normally carries about 60,000-70,000 tons of coal or grain cargo,. rose $426 at $19,834.

* The panamax market has actually seen divided viewpoints just recently,. shipbroker Fearnleys composed in a weekly note on Wednesday.

* In spite of a suppressed start to the week, favorable sentiment. persists, supported by stable fundamentals across both Atlantic. and Asian regions, suggesting possible for future gains, the. note included.

* Among smaller vessels, the supramax index increased by. 9 points to 1,379 points.

* On the other hand, 2 tankers containing oil and hazardous waste are. stuck in the Red Sea in the shooting line in between Western naval. forces and Yemen's Houthi militants despite repeated efforts by. the United Nations to empty and move the ships to prevent a spill.