gDownwinders remained mostly sellers of dry bulk carriers during the first five months of 2026. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Xclusiv said that “as Posidonia Week comes to a close, it has provided an opportune moment to reflect on the levels of activity in the dry bulk (S&P) and newbuild (NB) markets during the first five months of 2026, with a particular focus on the presence and positioning of Greek interests. The S&P market has shown momentum Notably, a total of 378 dry bulk vessels were traded during the period from January to May, representing an increase of 21% compared to the corresponding period in 2025. Activity was widely distributed across vessel sectors, with Handysize units leading the way with 86 deals (22% of total sales), followed by the Supramax sector with 79 deals (21%), Kamsarmax vessels accounting for 52 sales (14%) and the medium-sized sectors, which tended To provide greater trading flexibility amid prevailing market conditions.
Source: Exclusive
According to A strategic approach by the Greek owners to monetise the assets, likely benefiting from the stable second-hand values observed in certain volumes Sector-wise, Greek sales were primarily concentrated in the Handysize segment with 21 vessels, followed by Supramax units (18 vessels) and Kamsarmax vessels (15 units). Notably, around 50% of the vessels sold fell within the 11-15 year age group, indicating a trend among Greek owners to liquidate tonnage in the middle age, improving. Fleet age profiles On the acquisition front, Greek buyers remained active, albeit more selective, acquiring a total of 48 bulk carriers with an estimated value of US$952 million, second only to Chinese buyers, who led the market with 85 vessels in the 11-15 age group, reflecting a balanced approach between value and remaining profit potential.
Turning to the newbuild sector, order activity was also strong, the shipbroker said. During the first five months of 2026, a total of 153 bulk carriers were contracted, with a total value estimated at US$7 billion. Greek owners accounted for a large share of this activity, placing orders for 35 vessels, equivalent to 23% of the total contracts. In terms of value, their investment is estimated at approximately US$2 billion, representing 28.5%. Of the total. “New shipbuilding interest in Greece has been predominantly focused on larger ship sizes, particularly the Kamsarmax and Capesize segments. The orders for 13 Kamsarmax vessels and 12 Capesize units underscore a forward-looking strategy aimed at positioning fleets for anticipated demand in key bulk trades, including iron ore and coal, while also benefiting from economies of scale.”
Source: Exclusive
“Overall, the data underscores the continued influence of Greek shipping interests in both the second-hand and newbuild markets. Their dual role as active sellers and disciplined buyers, coupled with a strong presence in newbuild contracting, highlights a dynamic and opportunistic approach. As market conditions evolve over the remainder of 2026, Greek owners are expected to remain the main drivers of activity, leveraging their experience and market insight to navigate an increasingly complex freight and asset pricing environment.”
Nikos Rousanoglou, Global Hellenic Shipping News
