The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index .BADI rose for the second straight week on Friday, led by strong demand in the panamax vessel segment.

* The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels carrying dry bulk commodities, gained 8 points, or 0.7%, to 1,136.

* The main index was up 2.3% for the week, its second straight weekly gain.

* The panamax index .BPNI rose 21 points, or 1.9%, to 1,133.

* The index jumped 16.2% in its best week since March 3.

* Average daily earnings for panamaxes .BPWT, which usually carry coal or grain cargoes of about 60,000 to 70,000 tonnes, increased by $190 to $10,200.

* The capesize index .BACI was up 15 points, or 0.8%, at 1,818, but fell 0.7% for the week.

* Average daily earnings for capesizes .BATCA, which typically transport 150,000-tonne cargoes carrying commodities such as iron ore and coal, increased by $124 to $15,080.

* Dalian iron ore futures dipped on Friday, but Singapore iron ore futures recovered as traders hopes for a more substantial aid for China’s property sector countered fears of slowing steel output.IRONORE/

* Among smaller vessels, the supramax index .BSIS fell 7 points to 688.

Source: Reuters