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Dry Bulk Deals Gather Pace

The dry bulk Sale & Purchase market remained highly active during the first seven months of 2026, with 496 bulk carriers changing hands, compared to 428 vessels during the corresponding period of 2025, representing a 16% year-on-year increase. Activity accelerated particularly during May, when a remarkable 90 transactions were concluded, making it the busiest month of the year, while monthly sales remained consistently above 2025 levels for most of the period. The sustained level of transactions reflects continued confidence in dry bulk asset values, supported by a healthier freight environment and improving underlying market fundamentals compared to last year.

Looking at individual segments, Handysize and Supramax vessels once again dominated the market, recording 114 and 111 sales, respectively, accounting together for almost 45% of all dry bulk transactions. Activity was also particularly strong in the Kamsarmax sector with 65 sales, followed by Ultramax with 60 transactions. Compared to 2025, the most notable increases were recorded in the Ultramax market, where sales almost doubled from 33 to 60 vessels, followed by the Post-Panamax sector, which expanded from 11 to 32 sales, and the Kamsarmax segment, where activity increased from 44 to 65 vessels. By contrast, Panamax sales declined sharply from 56 to 32 transactions, while Handysize activity remained broadly stable. Overall, buying interest during 2026 became more diversified across the medium-sized bulk carrier segments rather than concentrating solely on the traditional Handysize and Supramax markets.

The age profile of sold vessels highlights that buyers continue to focus primarily on middle-aged tonnage. Vessels aged 11-15 years remained the preferred investment, accounting for 193 sales, or almost 39% of all transactions, broadly unchanged from the 198 vessels recorded during the same period of 2025. However, demand strengthened considerably for younger ships, with 0-5-year-old vessels rising from 24 to 43 sales and 6-10-year-old units increasing from 47 to 71 transactions. At the same time, sales of 16-20-year-old vessels climbed significantly from 94 to 131, while transactions involving ships older than 21 years remained relatively stable. The data suggest that investors are actively pursuing both modern eco-tonnage and proven middle-aged assets, while appetite for the oldest vessels has not expanded despite the stronger market environment.

On the buying side, Chinese interests remained the largest identified buyers, acquiring 98 bulk carriers, although this represents a substantial decline from the 157 acquisitions recorded in 2025. Greek buyers ranked second with 66 purchases, compared with 88 last year, while Turkey and Singapore remained active on a smaller scale. The sharp increase in the "Others" category, which accounted for 303 acquisitions, indicates a much broader participation by international investors than in 2025, suggesting that buying appetite has become increasingly diversified across nationalities.

On the selling side, Greek owners once again maintained their leading position, disposing of 100 bulk carriers, marginally above the 95 sales recorded during the corresponding period of 2025 and representing approximately 20% of all global dry bulk transactions. Chinese sellers also increased their activity from 63 to 81 vessels, while Japanese disposals declined from 66 to 55. Overall, the first seven months of 2026 reveal a broader and healthier S&P market than a year earlier, characterized by stronger liquidity, wider international participation, and robust demand across most dry bulk sectors, particularly for mid-sized and more modern vessel classes.

S&P Commentary :

Dry S&P Activity

In dry bulk, activity was spread across most sectors this week. On the Capesize sector, the "PRINCESS ETERNITY" - 182K/2022 JMU was sold for USD 78 mills 3 years BBHP, while the "JIAN FA" - 175K/2004 SWS changed hands for USD 18.5 mills. Moving down the sizes, we reported the Scrubber fitted "MEDI POSITANO" - 82K/2015 Tsuneishi last week at USD 31.6 million, but we now understand that the vessel was sold at a very high USD 31 million, while the Kamsarmax "BBG WUZHOU" - 82K/2016 Tsuneishi Zhoushan was sold for USD 29 mills via online auction, while Indians acquired the "PRESINGE" - 82K/2015 Tsuneishi Zhoushan for USD 29s mills. The "KARTINI SAMUDRA" - 74K/2004 Daewoo found new owners for high USD 7 mills. On the Ultramax sector, Greek buyers acquired the "GRAMOS" - 61K/2019 NACKS for USD 34.5 mills. On the Supramax sector, the "GLOBAL ORIOLE" - 59K/2012 NACKS was sold for mid USD 19 mills to Greek buyers, while the "LILA MUNDRA" - 57K/2009 STX Dalian changed hands for USD 12.5 mills. Finally, on the Handysize sector, the "AMIRA DIANA" - 36K/2010 Samjin was sold for USD 11.5 mills.

Tanker S&P Activity

On the Suezmax sector, Greek buyers acquired the "BRISTOL" - 157K/2024 Hyundai Samho for USD 123 mills basis delivery November-December 2026, while the "SONANGOL NAMIBE" - 158K/2007 Daewoo changed hands for USD 49.5 mills. Moving down the sizes, the Scrubber fitted MR2s "ON PROMISE" - 50K/2026 HMD and "ON PROSPER" - 50K/2026 HMD were sold for USD 58.5 mills each basis delivery August-October 2026. The CPP "ATLANTIC EAGLE" - 47K/2007 HMD was sold for low USD 18 mills. Finally, on the small tanker sector, the Scrubber fitted, StSt "DAMSGAARD" - 20K/2016 Fukuoka and "LOEVSTAKKEN" - 20K/2015 Fukuoka changed hands for high USD 32 mills each.

Xclusiv Shipbrokers Inc.