March 28 (Reuters) - The Baltic Exchange's main dry bulk sea freight index extended declines on Thursday to post its worst week since early January, pressured by weaker rates across all segments.
- The overall index .BADI , which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, fell by 24 points, or 1.3%, to 1,821 points, its lowest level since Feb. 22. The index registered its second straight weekly decline.
- The capesize index .BACI lost 1 point to 2,637 and has slipped over 24% for the week.
- Average daily earnings for capesize vessels .BATCA , which typically transports 150,000-ton cargoes such as iron ore and coal, decreased by $9 to $21,866.
- Iron ore futures were mixed for the day, with China's Dalian contract falling for a third consecutive day, hurt by a slow start to China's construction season and higher supply from Brazil.
- The panamax index .BPNI , fell 62 points or 3.2%, at 1,879 points. The index logged its biggest weekly fall since Feb. 2.
- Average daily earnings for panamax vessels .BPWT , which usually carries about 60,000-70,000 tons of coal or grain cargo, fell $557 at $16,913.
- Among smaller vessels, the supramax index .BSIS dropped 22 points to 1,331 points.
- Meanwhile, the Port of Baltimore remained shut following the collapse of Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday after being struck by a ship.
- While the flow of containers to Baltimore can likely be redistributed to bigger ports, there could be major disruptions in shipping cars, coal and sugar.
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