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How does INTERCARGO support its members in addressing today%u2019s key challenges, including geopolitical tensions and increasing regulatory complexity?INTERCARGO%u2019s role is to ensure that the voice of the dry bulk sector is clearly heard at the international level while providing practical support to our members as they navigate an increasingly complex technical and operational environment.Today%u2019s challenges %u2014 geopolitical instability, sanctions regimes, regional regulatory initiatives, and the energy transition %u2014 require coordinated industry engagement. INTERCARGO actively represents the interests of global quality dry bulk shipowners at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and is in dialogue with regulators, helping to ensure that new regulations are pragmatic, globally applicable, and mindful of operational realities.INTERCARGO represents the interests of owners from around the world operating more than 4,500 bulk carriers, accounting for over a 40% share of the world%u2019s dry bulk fleet capacity. This broad representation allows us to bring real operational experience to the regulatory debate and strengthens our ability to advocate for workable solutions.At the same time, we support our members through an active structure of committees, panels, and working groups that meet regularly to address emerging technical, operational, and regulatory challenges. Key examples include the work carried out through our Quality Panel, which focuses on safety and operational standards in response to the growing challenges associated with vetting regimes, and our Ship-to-Ship Transfer Working Group, which has just published the first international Guidelines for StS operations. Through these forums, members share experiences and best practices and develop common positions that help improve safety, compliance, and operational efficiency across the sector.The dry bulk sector has maintained a solid safety record over the past few years. To what extent do you believe digitalisation and AI tools will contribute to further improvements in safety and compliance, and what do you see as the main barriers to a more widespread adoption of advanced digital tools across the industry?The dry bulk sector has made significant progress in safety over the years, and Shipping operates globally and therefore requires globally agreed-upon rulesJohn A. Xylas, Chairman of INTERCARGO,talks to Giannis TheodoropoulosIn this era of geopolitical instability and mounting regulatory complexity, the Chairman of INTERCARGO explains how the organisation amplifies the dry bulk sector%u2019s voice at the IMO while providing hands-on support via technical committees, panels, and working groups, so that members can navigate sanctions, regional rules, and the energy transition with pragmatic, operationally grounded solutions.May 2026 41