The Straits Times Index dropped 1.7% to 2,648.98 at the close. Thirteen stocks declined for each that rose on the 30-member gauge. The following shares were among the most active in the market.

Bulk carriers: The Baltic Dry Index, which measures the cost of shipping commodities, slipped 1% in London yesterday, snapping an eight-day advance. Cosco Corp. Singapore (COS SP), a China-based shipbuilder that also operates bulk carriers, dipped 0.9% to $1.14. STX Pan Ocean Co. (STX SP), South Korea’s biggest bulk carrier, sank 3.7% to $13.96. Mercator Lines Singapore (MRLN SP), an Indian bulk carrier, dropped 3.1% to 31.5 cents. The company said second-quarter net income fell 59% to US$10.2 million ($14.3 million).