Baltic index down for seventh day on weak vessel demand

Jan 17 (Reuters) - The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk sea freight index fell for a seventh straight session on Monday as rates declined across all its vessel segments.

* The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, slipped 33 points, or 1.9%, to 1,731 for its lowest since early last March.

* The capesize index fell 26 points, or 1.7%, to 1,470, its lowest since late February.

* Average daily earnings for capesize vessels, which transport 150,000-tonne cargoes such as iron ore and coal, dropped by $217 to $12,190.

* Benchmark Dalian and Singapore iron ore futures fell on Monday, dragged down by improving near-term supply of the steelmaking ingredient and signs of continuing economic weakness in top steel producer China.

* The panamax index dipped 49 points, or 2.1%, to 2,326.

* Average daily earnings for panamax vessels, which ferry 60,000-70,000 tonne coal or grain cargoes, fell by $441 to $20,935.

* The supramax index fell 33 points to its lowest level since April at 1,864. (Reporting by Brijesh Patel in Bengaluru Editing by David Goodman )