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Since the start of the year till now, S&P activity for bulk carriers and tankers experienced a slowdown

Since the start of the year till now, S&P activity for bulk carriers and tankers experienced a slowdown compared to the same period in 2024. From January through the end of July 2025, a total of 703 vessels (bulk carriers and tankers, each ≥10,000 DWT) were sold—representing a 15% decline compared to the 831 vessels that changed ownership during the same period in 2024.

Focusing on the dry bulk sector specifically, 469 vessels (≥10,000 DWT) were sold year-to-date, down from 537 units sold in the corresponding period of 2024—a 13% decrease. The Handysize sector holds the leading position, with 122 vessels sold year-to-date. It is followed by the Supramax sector with 108 sales (accounting for 23% of the total), while the Panamax sector ranks third with 58 transactions. Although the Handysize and Supramax segments—both of which were also the most active during the same period in 2024—saw declines of 11% and 16% respectively in 2025, the Panamax sector was the only one to record an increase in S&P activity, posting a 26% rise in the number of vessels sold compared to the same period in 2024. The Capesize and Newcastlemax sectors saw the largest declines in sales volumes, with 34 Capesize vessels and 9 Newcastlemax vessels sold so far in 2025 — down 45% and 68% respectively compared to the same period in 2024.

Dry S&P activity in 2025 has so far been primarily focused on mid-age and vintage vessels. The 11–15-year-old age group was the most active, with 215 sales (accounting for 46% of total bulk carrier transactions), followed by the 16–20-year-old age group, which recorded 99 sales. Among the main sellers were Greek owners, who sold 98 vessels. The majority were Panamax units (32 sales) with an average age of 20 years, while the Supramax sector also saw significant activity, with 31 vessels sold at an average age of 18 years. On the buying side, Chinese buyers topped the charts, having acquired 80 vessels. Their main focus was the Supramax sector, with 25 purchases at an average age of 17 years. The Panamax sector followed closely with 15 purchases at an average age of 19 years.

On the tanker market, a total of 234 vessels (≥10,000 DWT) have been sold y-t-d, 20% down compared to the similar period of 2024 when 294 vessels were sold. The MR2 sector holds the leading position, with 71 sales. It is followed by the Aframax/ LR2 sector with 41 sales, while the VLCC sector ranks third with 31 transactions. Although all sectors have experienced a reduction in sales volume in 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, the Suezmax sector is the only segment showing the opposite trend. So far in 2025, a total of 27 Suezmax vessels have changed ownership—nearly double the figure for the same period in 2024.

In 2025, tanker S&P activity has been dominated by vintage tonnage. Vessels aged 16–20 years led the market with 113 sales, representing 48% of total tanker transactions. Activity in the 21-years-and-older segment also rose, with 34 vessels changing hands so far this year—a 26% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Greek owners ranked among the main sellers, offloading 50 vessels. Most were Aframax/LR2 units (16 sales) averaging 15 years of age, while the MR2 and VLCC segments recorded 10 and 9 sales, with average ages of 17 and 18 years respectively. Chinese buyers led the market on the purchasing side, snapping up 38 vessels. The Aframax/LR2 sector dominated their acquisitions with 11 vessels averaging 18 years of age, closely followed by the VLCC sector with 9 vessels of the same average age.

Sale and Purchase

Dry:

In the Capesize sector, three Japanese-built sisters, the "Mineral Utamaro" - 207K/2016 Imabari, the "Mineral Hokusai" - 207K/2015 Imabari and the "Mineral Edo" - 207K/2015 Imabari, were sold enbloc to undisclosed buyers for USD 165 mills. On the Post Panamax sector, the "Anglo Saxon" - 114K/2010 Shanghai Shipyard, fitted with scrubber and with SS due, was sold to Indian buyers for USD 14.5 mills, while the Japanese built "KM Nagoya" - 95K/2012 Imabari changed hands for USD 17.5 mills. Moving to the Kamsarmax sector, the "Pedhoulas Merchant" - 82K/2006 Tsuneishi was sold for USD 11.5 mills, while two Chinese-built units, the "Shandong Fu Yuan" - 82K/2018 Jiangsu Jinling and the "Shandong Fu En" - 82K/2017 Jiangsu Jinling, were auctioned online for USD 25.08 mills and USD 24.36 mills respectively. In the same segment, Greeks acquired the "Istria" - 82K/2013 Wuhu Xinlian for region USD 17 mills. In the Ultramax sector, the "Nord Bering" - 61K/2015 Tadotsu, was sold for low USD 23 mills while on the Supramax side, the "Ci Yun Shan" - 57K/2010 CSI changed hands for USD 11.5 mills. Finally, in the Handysize sector, Greeks acquired the Japanese-built "Adrienne" - 35K/2020 Hakodate for high USD 22 mills, while the Chinese-built "Sea Sapphire" - 33K/2010 Zhejiang Hongxin was sold for USD 8.5 mills

Wet:

In the tanker S&P activity, only 3 sales took place. In the Aframax sector, the scrubber fitted Tier I "Front Brage" - 157K/2011 Jiangsu Rongsheng was sold to UAE buyers for USD 38 mills. Moving to the Panamax/LR1 segment, the "San Julian" - 70K/2003 Daewoo, fitted with Deepwell pumps and trading DPP, was acquired by Nigerian buyers for high USD 8 mills. Finally, in the chemical tanker sector, Indian buyers acquired the stainless-steel coated "Clarice" - 26K/2014 Imabari for USD 29.5 mills.

Xclusiv Shipbrokers Inc.