$DSX The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index climbed to its highest in nearly seven weeks on Wednesday, as rates for capesize vessels rose.
* The Baltic dry index, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, gained 23 points, or 1.8%, at 1,296, highest since Oct. 29.
* The capesize index was up 84 points, or 5.3%, at 1,667, its highest level since Nov. 10, extending its winning streak to a fifth session.
* Average daily earnings for capesizes, which typically transport 150,000-tonne cargoes such as iron ore and coal, rose $698 to $13,826. $SHIP $SB