July 18 (Reuters) - The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, which measures rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, jumped on Friday, posting its biggest weekly gain in over four months, supported by a steady rise in capesize vessel rates.

* The main index .BADI, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, gained 22 points, or 1.1%, to 2,052 points, its highest level since September 30, 2024. The contract logged its highest weekly percentage gain since late February.

* The capesize index .BACI rose 63 points, or 2.1%, to 3,084, hitting its highest level in a month. The contract gained over 43% for the week.

* Average daily earnings for capesize vessels .BATCA, which typically transport 150,000-ton cargoes such as iron ore and coal, increased $520 to $25,575.

* Dalian iron ore futures climbed to their highest close in 4-1/2 months and logged a fourth consecutive weekly gain, as an upbeat demand outlook and hopes for further policy support from Beijing boosted market sentiment. IRONORE/

* The panamax index .BPNI fell 14 points, or 0.7%, to 1,919. However, the contract gained over 3% for the week.

* Average daily earnings for panamax vessels .BPWT, which usually carry 60,000-70,000 tons of coal or grain, lost $127 to $17,272.

* Among smaller vessels, the supramax index .BSIS added 11 points, or 0.8%, to 1,346.

(Reporting by Sherin Elizabeth Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by Shreya Biswas)

((sherinelizabeth.varghese@thomsonreuters.com;))