The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk freight index rose on Thursday, helped by stronger rates in the Capesize vessel category.
The main Baltic index rose nine points, or 0.3 per cent, to 3,336 points.
The Capesize index rose 44 points, or 0.8 per cent, to 5,656 points.
Average daily earnings for Capesize vessels increased by $396 to $47,793.
Iron ore prices rose for a second session, as Chinese steelmakers stepped up seaborne purchases ahead of a national holiday, although shrinking steel margins clouded the demand outlook.
The Panamax index fell 43 points, or 1.8 per cent, to 2,282 points.
Average daily earnings for Panamax vessels fell $392 to $20,535.
Among smaller vessels, the supramax index was up 14 points, or 0.8 per cent, at 1,762.
(Reporting by Katha Kalia in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore)