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Meanwhile, recent developments in critical maritime routes, such as the conflicts in the Strait of Hormuz, are intensifying the search for alternative supply chains, promoting solutions that involve transshipments between bulk carriers. It is, therefore, even more imperative for all stakeholders to adopt more structured, safe, efficient, and mutually acceptable procedures.In this context, INTERCARGO undertook the initiative to draft and publish the first %u201cShip-to-Ship Transfer Guidelines for Bulk Carriers%u201d, aiming to fill this gap by providing practical guidance for safe and efficient lightering and transloading operations. This new publication, which contributes to the development of the first international guidelines for STS transshipments in the dry bulk sector, was developed with the support of DYNAMARINe and was officially presented on 31 March 2026, at a special event held at the Angelicoussis Group Auditorium.During the event, the complexity of STS operations was highlighted: the involvement of multiple parties, regional variations, as well as dynamic factors such as weather conditions, draft, and visibility, which directly influence the risk profile of these operations.The event brought together representatives from ship management companies, insurance organisations and P&I Clubs, charterers, and service providers, who exchanged views and experiences, highlighting the significance of the new publication in addressing a growing operational need: the safe and efficient execution of STS operations in the dry bulk shipping sector.The session opened with remarks from%u00a0INTERCARGO%u00a0Chairman Mr John A. Xylas, who stated that %u201cuntil now, the bulk carrier sector did not have a dedINTERCARGO:Promoting safe & efficient STS operations through collaboration and knowledge sharingAs ships grow significantly in size, port infrastructure remains limited, and bulk cargo trade continues to increase, Ship-to-Ship (StS) operations in the dry bulk sector are no longer occasional. However, unlike the tanker industry, where STS operations have followed established standards and guidelines for decades, the bulk carrier sector has yet to establish a clear, shared method for performing STS operations safely and efficiently.Safe operations138 NX