The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk freight index, which measures shipping rates for vessels carrying dry bulk commodities, rose for a second consecutive session on Thursday, jumping 4.7% to 3,488 points — its highest level since October 2021. Freight rates have climbed sharply as stronger demand for commodities, particularly iron ore, coal, and other bulk materials, has met a constrained supply of vessels and longer voyage distances driven by geopolitical disruptions.
The capesize index, covering larger vessels that typically carry 150,000-ton cargoes such as iron ore and coal, also advanced for a second day, gaining 7.1% to 6,042 points, its highest level since late 2023. Meanwhile, the panamax index, which reflects rates for ships transporting about 60,000 to 70,000 tons of coal or grain, rose 1.2% to 2,457 points, its strongest reading since May 2026. The supramax index also edged higher, up 0.6% to 1,668 points.
