Baltic index drops to one-week low as larger vessel rates dip

June 19 (Reuters) - The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk sea freight index, which tracks rates for vessels transporting dry commodities, fell for the third consecutive session to a one-week low on Thursday as rates declined across larger vessel segments.

The main index .BADI, which monitors rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, was down 123 points, or 6.6%, at 1,751, the lowest level since June 11.

The capesize index .BACI lost 364 points, or about 10.6%, to 3,078, the lowest in more than a week.

Average daily earnings for capesize vessels .BATCA, which typically transport 150,000-ton cargoes such as iron ore and coal, decreased by $3,022 to $25,524.

Iron ore futures prices snapped a five-day losing streak on Thursday amid heightened steel production in top consumer China, though gains were partially offset as a protracted crisis in China's property market continued to weigh on demand prospects. IRONORE/

The panamax index .BPNI fell 25 points, or 1.8%, to 1,353.

Average daily earnings for panamax vessels .BPWT, which usually carry 60,000-70,000 tons of coal or grain, lost $231 to $12,174.

Among smaller vessels, the supramax index .BSIS gained 14 points to 963, highest level in three weeks.