Baltic index gains for third straight session on rising vessel rates

June 16 (Reuters) - The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index gained for a third straight session on Thursday, buoyed by rising rates across the board.

* The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, increased by 75 points, or 3.1%, to 2,462.

* The capesize index gained 151 points, or 5.9%, to 2,702.

* Average daily earnings for capesizes, which typically transport 150,000-tonne cargoes such as iron ore and coal, rose $1,254 to $22,411. * "India continues to be insatiable for Indonesian coal, partly compensating for a slow West Australia/China iron ore trade not pushing capacity. Slight improvements on other trades have contributed to overall daily earnings," shipbroker Fearnleys said on its website, referring to the capesize segment.

* Dalian iron ore fell for a fifth straight session on Thursday and hit its lowest in three weeks, dragged down by a pessimistic demand outlook for the steelmaking ingredient from top steel producer China.

* The panamax index added 84 points, or 3.1%, to 2,790 points.

* Average daily earnings for panamaxes, which usually carry coal or grain cargoes of about 60,000-70,000 tonnes, increased $758 to $25,113.

* Global port congestion is set to continue until at least early 2023 and keep spot freight rates elevated, logistics executives said on Wednesday.

* The supramax index edged up 6 points to 2,460. (Reporting by Rahul Paswan in Bengaluru;)