# Baltic Dry Index Falls 4.8% in Eighth Straight Daily Decline

- URL: https://stocks.freetheai.org/news/baltic-dry-index-falls-4-8-in-eighth-straight-daily-decline-eb4a11
- Published: 2026-10-14T14:32:35Z
- Category: commodities; sentiment: bearish; impact: medium
- Written by our AI from expert market sources across the web for FreeTheAI Stocks, built by Vibhek Soni
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Global dry bulk shipping benchmark rates extended their decline on Wednesday, falling about 4.8% to 2,667 points. The drop marks the eighth straight session of losses for the main freight index, pushing it to its lowest level since July 29.

A steep drop in capesize vessel rates led the overall decline. Capesize ships, which usually move 150,000-ton cargoes such as iron ore and coal, plunged 9.1% to 3,630 points, their lowest mark since late June. Panamax vessels, which carry 60,000 to 70,000 tons of coal or grain, slipped roughly 1% to 2,409 points.

In contrast, rates for smaller supramax vessels bucked the broader trend, with that index rising 0.7% to 1,845 points. Shipping markets will be watching for signs of stability across vessel classes following eight consecutive days of falling freight rates.

## Key points

- The main dry bulk freight index dropped about 4.8% to 2,667 points, marking its eighth consecutive daily decline and lowest level since July 29.
- The capesize index plunged 9.1% to 3,630 points, hitting its lowest level since late June.
- The panamax index decreased roughly 1% to reach 2,409 points.
- Rates for smaller supramax vessels increased 0.7% to 1,845 points.

## Questions and answers

### Why did the Baltic Dry Index fall on Wednesday?

The Baltic Dry Index fell roughly 4.8% due to a steep 9.1% drop in capesize vessel rates and a 1% decline in panamax rates.

### What is the current level of the Baltic Dry Index?

On Wednesday, the Baltic Dry Index fell to 2,667 points, reaching its lowest level since July 29 after eight consecutive sessions of losses.

### How did different shipping vessel categories perform?

Capesize rates plunged 9.1% to 3,630 points and panamax rates dropped about 1% to 2,409 points, while supramax rates rose 0.7% to 1,845 points.