Baltic index steady as gains in capesize offset lower rates for panamax

Sept 1 (Reuters) - The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, was mostly unchanged on Monday as gains in capesize countered weakness in panamax.

* The main index .BADI, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, edged down 1 point to 2,024 points.

* The capesize index .BACI gained 24 points, or 0.8%, to 2,949 points.

* Average daily earnings for capesize vessels .BATCA, which typically transport 150,000-ton cargoes such as iron ore and coal, rose $198 to $24,455.

* Iron ore futures slipped to their lowest levels in a week, hurt by shrinking steel margins and expectations of lower steel production ahead of a military parade in China. IRONORE/

* The panamax index .BPNI was down 34 points, or 1.8%, at 1,813 points.

* Average daily earnings for panamax vessels .BPWT, which usually carry 60,000-70,000 tons of coal or grain, fell $310 to $16,313.

* Among smaller vessels, the supramax index .BSIS rose 2 points to 1,467 points - marking its 20th consecutive day of gains.

* Elsewhere, Yemen's Houthis said they launched a missile towards the Israeli-owned tanker Scarlet Ray near Saudi Arabia's Red Sea port city of Yanbu in a rare attack off the Saudi coast.