Baltic index logs weekly gain on firm vessel demand

June 17 (Reuters) - The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index rose for a fourth straight session and booked its first weekly gain in four on Friday, propelled by stronger demand across vessels.

* The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, added 116 points, or 4.7%, to 2,578.

* The index was up 11.1% for the week.

* The capesize index gained 285 points, or 10.6%, to 2,987, notching a weekly rise of 26%, its biggest since mid-May.

* Average daily earnings for capesizes, which typically transport 150,000-tonne cargoes such as iron ore and coal, rose by $2,365 to $24,776.

* The gains came even as Dalian iron ore extended losses to a sixth session after Chinese steel mills opted to reduce output amid weak profits and deteriorating demand prospects.

* The panamax index added 72 points, or 2.6%, to 2,862 points.

* The index has gained nearly 9% this week, its best week since mid-April.

* Average daily earnings for panamaxes, which usually carry coal or grain cargoes of about 60,000-70,000 tonnes, increased by $644 to $25,757.

* The supramax index edged up 7 points to 2,467. (Reporting by Arundhati Sarkar in Bengaluru; Editing by Aditya Soni)