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Baltic index extends dip as capesize, panamax rates hit 6-month trough

Aug 16 (Reuters) - The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index extended declines to a fourth straight session on Tuesday as rates for panamax and capesize vessels slid to their lowest in more than six months.

* The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax, and supramax shipping vessels, lost 17 points, or 1.2%, to 1,387 points, its lowest in more than six months.

* The capesize index was down for the fourth consecutive session, falling 39 points, or 3.6%, to 1,059 points, its lowest since Jan. 27.

* Average daily earnings for capesizes, which typically transport 150,000-tonne cargoes such as iron ore and coal, were down $321 at $8,783.

* The panamax index, which has not seen a single day of gains since July 25, was down 35 points, or 1.9%, at 1,850 points, its biggest drop in over a month.

* Average daily earnings for panamaxes, which usually carry coal or grain cargoes of about 60,000 to 70,000 tonnes, decreased $314 to $16,653.

* The line-up of vessels expected to load sugar at Brazilian ports surged this month and government data on Monday showed the country's exports of the sweetener are on track to a 30% jump in August.

* Ukraine can export 3 million tonnes of grain from its ports in September and may in the future be able to export 4 million tonnes from them monthly, Deputy Infrastructure Minister Yuriy Vaskov said.

* The supramax index rose for a third session, adding 19 points at 1,626 points on its best day in nearly three months. (Reporting by Deep Vakil in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)