The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk freight index, which tracks rates for ships transporting dry bulk commodities, fell for a second consecutive session on Thursday, slipping about 3% to 2,840 points—its lowest level since July 6—amid persistent weakness in the larger vessel segments.
The capesize index, covering vessels that typically carry 150,000-ton cargoes such as iron ore and coal, also declined for a second day, dropping 5.6% to 4,339 points, an over one-week low, as profit-taking and softer chartering activity weighed on rates.
By contrast, the panamax index, which reflects rates for ships hauling about 60,000 to 70,000 tons of coal or grain, was broadly unchanged at 2,257 points, supported by steady coal and grain cargo demand in both the Atlantic and Pacific basins.
Among the smaller vessel classes, the supramax index advanced 0.6% to 1,730 points, its highest level since August 2022, underpinned by robust demand in minor bulk, steel, fertilizer, and grain trades.
