April 16 (Reuters) - The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk freight index, which monitors rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities rose to its highest in more than four months on Thursday as rates across vessel segments increased.

* The main Baltic index .BADI, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, was up 39 points, or 1.6%, at 2,523, its highest level since early December 2025. The index was up for the tenth straight session.

* The capesize index .BACI added 62 points, or about 1.6%, to 4,026, its highest level in more than four months.

* Average daily earnings for capesize vessels .BATCA, which typically transport 150,000-ton cargoes, including iron ore and coal, were up $562 at $33,012.

* Iron ore futures jumped on Thursday on upbeat China economic data, while lean domestic crude steel production spurred hopes of lifting globally suppressed steel prices and improving Chinese steel mill margins.IRONORE/

* The panamax index .BPNI added 22 points, or around 1.1%, to 1,970, marking the highest level since early March.

* Average daily earnings for panamax vessels .BPWT, which usually carry 60,000 to 70,000 tons of coal or grain, increased by $202 to $17,730.

* The supramax index .BSIS gained 27 points, or 1.97%, to 1,398.