The benchmark dry bulk freight gauge extended its rally into a fourth straight session on Tuesday, with capesize and panamax rates both reaching fresh multi-week highs.
The Baltic Dry Index, a benchmark for dry bulk shipping costs, extended gains for a fourth straight session on Tuesday, rising about 3.3% to 2,936, its highest level in three weeks. The latest advance followed Monday's 4.1% jump to 2,843 and was again driven by larger vessel segments. The capesize index, which tracks ships that typically haul 150,000-ton cargoes such as iron ore and coal, climbed 4.7% to 4,778, its highest level since June 5. The panamax index, covering vessels that usually carry 60,000 to 70,000 tons of coal or grain, added 2.4% to 2,187, reaching its strongest level since July 20. Among smaller vessels, the supramax index edged up 0.2% to 1,613. The move indicates continued strength in freight rates across key dry bulk shipping classes.